Softbank Releases iPhone Pricing Information for Japan

Posted in iPhone News by admin. Published June 25th, 2008

Softbank Releases iPhone Pricing Information for Japan

According to Reuters, Softbank will make the 3G iPhone available in Japan starting July 11; the device will be priced at 23,040 yen (about $214) for the 8GB version and at 34,560 yen (approximately $321) for the 16GB model.

Customers will also be able to go for a monthly iPhone service plan of 7,280 yen ($68), that will enable them to talk to other Softbank subscribers for free.

There has been a very serious competition between Softbank and DoCoMo; both companies wanted to sell the iPhone in Japan. Although the former has won the contract, DoCoMo is still engaged in talks with Apple for finding a way to bring the device to its 50 million customer-base. Softbank is currently the third largest mobile communications carrier in Japan.

July 11 will be quite a day for Apple, as its iPhone will be launched in 20 new countries.

Apple’s plan is to ship ten million units of the iPhone by the end of 2008. As the smartphone will be made available pretty much everywhere, there is a good chance of that happening. Offers like the one T-Mobile announced in Germany (with a two-year contract, the 8GB 3G iPhone costs 1 euro) will definitely help.

There still is one issue to be addressed by Apple: in April, China Mobile stated that once Apple comes up with a proper business model, the company will be brought aboard for officially launching the device on the Chinese market. China Mobile has about 384 million customers, which is more than the population of the U.S.

The iPhone has been great business so far, as Apple became the third largest smart phone supplier of the world.

[Thanks: http://www.enews20.com/]