iPhone to be available at Phones 4U, HMV and other independent retailers

Commenting on the move by Orange, Guillaume van Gaver, Orange UK vice president of sales and loyalty said: "It is a multi-channel, phased approach for Q4 to capture a broad audience. We are going to launch the iPhone in the UK with some major players – with Carphone Warehouse and Phones 4U, and also through our HMV concessions and our best dealer and distributor partners."

T Mobile and 3G are said to be offering contract free iPhones to its high spending customers. The move by the two operators is an attempt to prevent high spending customers from switching to rival operators to buy the iPhone.

In principle the iPhone is available in all major mobile phone operators in the UK. And with more mobile phone retailers gaining rights to sell the iPhone, a price war is unavoidable which can only be a good news for the consumer.