Vodafone to offer Apple iPhone in ten markets

Vodafone announced it has signed an agreement with Apple to sell the iPhone in ten of its markets around the globe.

After the UK (02), Germany (T-Mobile), France (Orange), Austria (T-Mobile), Ireland (O2), the iPhone will be available via Vodafone in 4 new European countries (Greece, Italy, Portugal, the Czech Republic).

As you can see, Spain is not included in this announcement, probably meaning Apple will find another partner (Telefonica?) for this country. Benelux and Scandinavia are also still missing to the European iPhone equation but they represent limited volumes.

"After months of speculation an industry insider (who has asked to remain anonymous) has confirmed to CNET.com.au that Optus will be one of several Australian mobile service providers to be selling Apple's iPhone, with sales and service commencing in the last week of June," Joseph Hanlon reports for CNET.

There are reports that, from the list above, at least Australia and Italy will have iPhones available from multiple carriers:

"Optus plans to make the announcement mid-May ahead of Apple's Worldwide Developer's Conference on June 9 in San Francisco where Apple CEO Steve Jobs is tipped to launch the next generation of iPhone," Hanlon reports. "While this source could not confirm a 3G version of the popular handset, they did suggest that Optus was expecting the upgraded models."

"There remains further speculation as to which of the remaining Australian carriers will also licence the sale of the iPhone," Hanlon reports.