Vodafone have issued a short press release confirming that they will be selling the iPhone in ten markets later on that year.  These will include Australia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey.  Previous sources had tipped the Indian deal, but that is a significant step for the carrier overall.

Prior to the launch of the iPhone in Europe, Vodafone was heavily tipped to be a key player.  It was a surprise, soon after, when O2, Orange and T-Mobile ended negotiations with the all-important UK, French and German distribution deals.  Vodafone later took T-Mobile Germany to the courts claiming their exclusive deal was “anticompetitive“.

While nothing is confirmed, the fact that the list

Vodafone have released contains no markets in which the iPhone is presently sold suggests that either negotiations there are still ongoing or, perhaps more likely, that the existing carriers have been given - and taken - first refusal on the 3G iPhone.

Press Release:

Vodafone to Offer Apple’s iPhone in Ten Markets
06 May 2008

Vodafone today announced it has signed an agreement with Apple to sell the iPhone in ten of its markets around the globe. Later that year, Vodafone customers in Australia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey will be able to purchase the iPhone for use on the Vodafone network. 

Orginal post by Chris Davies