An email just this afternoon pointed me to the press release that Globe Telecom has agreed with Apple to exclusively offer the iPhone in the Philippines. Announcement was made at 1PM this afternoon.
On the Globe Corporate site:
Globe, SingTel, Bharti Airtel and Optus to bring iPhone to the region
Manila, 12 May 2008 – Globe, SingTel, Bharti Airtel and Optus today announced that they have signed an agreement with Apple to bring the iPhone to the Philippines, Singapore, India, and Australia later this year.
More information will be released at a later date.
Finally!
A call to people inside Globe turned out nothing. They’re all mum about it. Not even a clue. All they told me is that it will be offered later this year. That’s it. No details on the plans, prices and release dates. Will have to dig deeper. *heh*
Wait, does that mean Apple will open up iTunes in the Philippines as well? Remember that Apple ties up your iTunes account with your iPhone subscription. But iPhones are already available in the Philippines. Just visit Virramall in Greenhills. Now, I’m more excited with the prospect of getting an iTunes account than an iPhone being legitimately available with a local telco.
Will the iPhone muster enough influence to make people switch providers? (That’s what happened with AT&T in the US.)
{Hat tip: Andre John & Mobius}
I think iphone cannot muster enough influence to filipinos kasi sa taas ng price sa globe. but see later what globe can do to convince customers.