It’s official! MTN gets the iPhone

Vodacom has lost its exclusivity over Apple’s iPhone in SA: MTN will launch the product in the country within weeks.

The cellular network operator will announce late on Thursday afternoon that it will begin selling the iPhone device through its channels.

TechCentral has learnt that MTN will issue a press statement late on Thursday confirming what many had already expected: that it has secured a distribution agreement with Apple.

The one-line statement will read: “MTN will launch iPhone 4, the thinnest smartphone in the world with the highest-resolution display ever built into a phone, in SA in the coming month.”

There’s no word yet on how MTN will charge for the device, or whether it plans to undercut Vodacom.

TechCentral understands the device could go on sale in a matter of weeks, if not even sooner, depending on stock availability.

Vodacom, meanwhile, has said it will launch the iPhone 4 before the end of September.

Apple has sold more than 6m units of the iPhone 4 since its launch in the US on 24 June. — Duncan McLeod, TechCentral

See also: iPhone 4: the TechCentral review

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http://www.emergingmedia.co.za Craig

This is a very good reason to move back to MTN. I originally left because Vodacom had the iPhone but they don’t actually have a network that can support calls or data
http://timk.co.za Tim

The question is… which network will best cope with the iPhone4′s little antenna problem.
http://www.callegari.co.za nicolascallegari

@craig – I left MTN because they were an arrogant bunch of morons who didn’t value my business or understand the notion of customer service. But I’ve learned that they’re no different to Vodacom or Virgin Mobile either so now it’s just down to price. If MTN can undercut Vodacom, I’ll port my number.
alan

The antenna is only a problem if you have bad reception like AT&T in the US. You’ll not even notice it in SA.
Leticia

I won’t get an iPhone again. It’s a nice toy to play with but not worth the price. I ended up using my Nokia E72 more and passing the phone to my 5 year old daughter. It only makes sense to get an iPod touch and a real phone with good call quality.
http://twitter.com/adielslarmie adiel

iPhone4 announced in June, here in September
iPad announced in Jan, here in ??????

Core owns distribution rights for Apple products in SA from what I understand, but NOT the iPhone. Is that right?
http://aslamlevy.coza aslam levy

I think Vodacoms experience in having the phone for 2 years on their network will give them a slight advantage.

Interested to see who is first to Market though…
LG

Finally! I have the unlocked 2G iphone….and due for an upgrade with MTN….wish they wld hurry the f up and offer it already! My crcked 2G fone works better on mtn than my friends 3G with Vodacom. But all the providers offer crap service by default
http://www.igeek.co.za Gerhard

Hopefully the iPhone will be more affordable now that Vodacom lost its exclusivity.
Seano

Spoke to MTN staff today. Just some insight:
I have 2 ProCall 150 packages with them, that I’ve had for 4 years each. Both are ready to be upgraded, which I’ve held back for 3 months coz of the rumors of the iPhone 4 on MTN. I needed an iPhone so badly that last year I bought one cash from Vodacom, and shoved one of my MTN simcards straight in it.
Anyway.. I explained all of this to the MTN rep, and asked if I could get put on a “waiting list/pre-order” doc to be called for my upgrade, as a loyal customer wanting to do 2 upgrades. He then tells me that there’s no way he can do it. His supervisor, over-hearing the convo, comes by and says.. “Right his name in the book”, and leaves. So he does this, and then says “But there’s no guarantee we will call you”.
I asked about pricing, he has no idea. I ask about launch, guess what he says..?
“It’s launching in September but you wont be able to use it until November or December, because we havent yet tested the micro-sim card”. You have GOT to be kidding me. I hope this dude is either dumb, or high. For his sake. Because if MTN launches a phone that cannot be used, moreover a freakin expensive phone that cannot be used, it’ll be a fail of epic proportions.
Expect R389ish p/m on a 16GB model, maybe closer to R500 for the 32GB model.
Sean_O

Went to the launch lastnight, not much has changed. it looks the same. With all the problems with the software and hardware, SA might just be the perfect dumping ground for this overated device and die hard iPhone users. Do not be suprised if there is a additional user manual on how to hold the device to make a call. It seems one would be better off purchasing the Nokia N8 or the Samsung galaxy or Wave 8500 with their 1 GB processor and awesome screen resolution. There are much better smart phones out there than the iPhone.

It’s official! MTN gets the iPhone

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