Tesco to sell iPhone in UK before Christmas

MOBILE SHOPPERS would have reason to celebrate in United Kingdom as Tesco is all set to start a price war, offering the Apple iPhone both online and in its shops soon. The retail chain has offered the iPhone 3G and the latest model 3GS well before Christmas, via its joint venture with network provider O2.
Although the date for this launch is yet to be confirmed, Tesco Mobile has said that these iPhones would be given on contract and pay per use basis. The spokeswoman said,"We want to bring a bit of Tesco value to the iPhone on tariffs. It will be slightly different and is not going to replicate what is already out there. "
 
The move by the retail chain is a big turn up against competitors Orange and Vodafone, whose iPhone sales prospects may dip. The fact that there are 42 million visitor to the Tesco brand stores per week, including mutliple time visitors, does not help matters for them at all.

As a further lure, Tesco has stated that customers purchasing the iPhone would also get Clubcard loyalty points. "Obviously, with all our tariffs, handsets and top-ups on Tesco Mobile, customers get Clubcard points and the iPhone will be no different," the company said.

The retail chain, Tesco has become the fourth company to get a a deal to sell iPhones in Britain following O2 and Orange. Vodafone has planned to offer the iPhone next year.