Vodafone says "no" to 3G-less iPhone

While Expansys UK is already offering a pre-order on an unlocked iPhone, Vodafone has said "no" to a contract with Apple to deploy the 3G-less iPhone in Europe.

On Reuters: "It's clearly a good, software-driven device, but we're concerned about wideband area coverage so that 3G (third-generation) or HSDPA (upgraded 3G) connectivity with the iPhone is something that we look forward to.

Every product, every alterative, every choice here has a price and we just have to be conscious of what it is that we're doing for our customers and our shareholders" a representative from Vodafone told a conference call on Thursday.

This is a clear message to Apple, for them to take in account the massive investment telecommunications companies made on 3G networks in Europe. So, maybe once Apple creates the 3G version of the iPhone (rumors point to March 2008), Vodafone will step up to launch it on its networks across Europe.