T-Mobile inks exclusive new 3G iPhone deal-sources

T-Mobile inks exclusive new 3G iPhone deal-sources
COLOGNE, June 9 (Reuters) - German mobile operator T-Mobile will sell a new version of Apple's APPL.O coveted iPhone exclusively in Germany and the Netherlands, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday.

One of the sources also said the new version would be available in Germany next month.

T-Mobile declined to comment.

Analysts expect Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs to present an improved iPhone running on a so-called third-generation (3G) network for faster data speeds at Apple's developers conference on Monday.

T-Mobile, the mobile communication business of Deutsche Telekom (DTEGn.DE: Quote, Profile, Research), has been selling Apple's original iPhone in Germany exclusively since November 2007.

The new iPhone will be accompanied by support for corporate e-mail and a slate of new programs that could help boost sales of the devices, which sport a touch-sensitive screen, wireless Internet access and iPod-style media functions.

Apple has declined to comment on what Jobs will announce.

T-Mobile Chief Executive Hamid Akhavan told Reuters last month he expected the company to remain the only seller of the iPhone in Germany and added at the time: "If and when there is a 3G iPhone we expect to have it exclusively in Germany as well."

In April, T-Mobile began offering the iPhone for 99 euros ($156.5) in combination with the most expensive T-Mobile contract of 89 euros per month, giving rise to speculation it was trying to clear the shelves for a new version of the iPhone.
source-http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssTechMediaTelecomNews/idUSWEA904720080609