iPhone on its way to Thailand?

Are there any countries where we haven't heard iPhone launch rumors at this point? Yes, yes there are, but the list is getting shorter by the minute. The latest to get scratched off the iPhone rumor-free sheet is Thailand, where number one carrier AIS says that negotiations are well underway with revenue sharing details being a large part of the discussion (surprise, surprise). AIS holds a commanding 50 percent of the Thai market, so if Apple were to launch there, that particular carrier certainly seems like the right one to go after; a carrier spokesman gave no indication as to when it might wrap up talks, though, so it's far from a done deal. We assume they've done more than pay a single visit to Cupertino here?

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 28th 2008 3:10PM]

AIS is 21% owned by Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) .... Bigger plans are likely in the works ...
http://idannyb.wordpress.com/2008/01/23/singtel-to-bring-iphone-to-pacific-rim/
Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) may be using its holdings and control of regional telecom companies to win a contract with Apple and coordinate a multi-nation Apple iPhone launch. The launch could involve seven different carriers in as many nations and bring iPhone to a subscriber base of 136 million.

The Thai Daily, Bangkok Post and Australian IT are reporting that Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel) is in talks with Apple on a coordinated iPhone distribution plan throughout the Pacific Rim. SingTel is in a position to aid with logistics and planning. Australia�s Optus is a wholly owned subsidiary of SingTel and the Singapore carrier has significant holdings in telecom companies throughout the region. SingTel website reports the group�s major telecom investments include:

v AIS in Thailand (21% owned by SingTel)

v Optus in Australia (wholly owned by SingTel)

v Bharti Telecom Group in India


v Globe Telecom in the Philippines


v Pacific Bangladesh Telecom (PBTL) in Bangladesh


v Telkomsel in Indonesia


v Warid Telecom in Pakistan

In combination, the companies above have more than 136 million mobile customers. This is the largest mobile customer base in Asia outside of China.

Dan Butterfield
iPhone in Asia
http://idannyb.wordpress.com/

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 28th 2008 6:53PM]

I'm in Thailand right now and was wondering where the iPhones were. I have an unlocked iPhone and a Thai Sim Card works perfectly in it.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 29th 2008 9:07AM]

That's a sweet bird/dude(?) logo.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 12th 2008 10:06PM]

is there any updates on the release date?