Carrier “Orange” Giving Current iPhone Contract Subscribers Upgrade Options

by Jody Mitoma on June 4, 2008 at 2:45 am

French iPhone carrier Orange seems to have some sort of an upgrade plan in the works when Apple ships out the second-generation iPhone.

Ars Technica has spotted a report from French web site PC Inpact (English Translation) that Orange has been calling iPhone owners in France and offering them an upgrade path to the new 3G iPhone.

PC Inpact says Orange customers are being given two options to chose from: they can return their current generation iPhone’s and pay 50 euros for the new version, or they can keep their current iPhone’s and buy a new one at a “heavily subsidized” price, presumably with a fresh contract attached. How heavily subsidized the price cut would be is beyond our recognition.

If Apple and its partners can get even half of the estimated 5 million iPhone owners to upgrade to the new model, it will be much easier for the company to hit its 2008 goal of 10 million shipments. Sales are expected to increase based on the wider distribution of the iPhone in the coming weeks around the world, as well as those who were holding out for a faster model.

Do keep in mind, this offer is only being offered to Orange customers, and may stay that way as far as we know. In fact, this may not even be true.

If you are an Orange customer and had something like this occur to you, please share your thoughts within the comments of this story.

(Source: CNET News)

Posted in News Related, Rumors, iPhone 2.0, iPhone Related