US technology giant Apple picked mobile phone operator T-Mobile on Wednesday to launch its iPhone handset in Germany, with deals in more countries expected as the group prepares for the European roll-out of its latest gadget.
Germany and Britain will simultaneously launch the touch-screen iPhone in Europe on November 9, offering Internet access, telephone service and iPod-like music as well as the ability to play videos.
Under an agreement announced on Tuesday, the phone is to be distributed in Britain by O2.
Press reports said that the choice of T-Mobile was the result of concessions agreed to by parent group Deutsche Telekom, which would reportedly pay Apple up to 30 percent of sales connected to the iPhone.
That would represent a first in the European mobile market, and highlighted the commercial significance of the deal for Deutsche Telekom, a former monopoly which is placing its fortunes in services aimed at a younger market.
