MuniWireless

It did not take long for Orange’s competitors to take advantage of a recent decision to ban iPhone exclusivity in France. Several multibrand distribution channels have already announced bargain-basement prices for an unlocked 3G iPhone.

Just before New Year, The Phone House in France began offering the iPhone 3G (8MB) for 19 euros ($26). The iPhone is brand new and not refurbished. The cheapest iPhone of this promotion comes with a 2-year contract with Bouygues Telecom at 34 euros a month (about $47) with 120 minutes of calls during the day and unlimited calls, SMS and MMS to any operator after 9:30 p.m. Calls to Europe and the US are the same price as calls to France. If you want an iPhone without a contract, it will cost over 729 EUR.

Anyone willing to switch and keep his previous phone number can do it online. We don’t know how long this promotion will last. The Phone House has other offers for the iPhone with SFR, Virgin and Orange, but the device will cost more. We understand Bouygues Telecom is heavily sponsoring the device to lure customers away Orange.

Long live competition!