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Vodafone today announced it has signed an agreement with Apple to sell the iPhone in Australia.

The much sought after handset, which is yet to be released in Australia, will be available locally before the end of the year, though no date has been announced. Recent speculation claimed that Optus and other unnamed telcos will be the providers of the product/service.

"The iPhone will be the perfect addition to Vodafone Australia's mobile handset range. The iPhone's Australian launch is well-timed to coincide with our plans to deliver an enhanced mobile internet and entertainment experience to customers," said Russell Hewitt, chief executive officer of Vodafone Australia.

"The iPhone has already proved to be extremely popular with customers in other parts of the world and Vodafone is confident that today's announcement will be well received by all Australians who are keen to get their hands on their own iPhone."

In addition to Australia, Vodafone customers in the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey will also be able to purchase the iPhone for use on the Vodafone network.

There is no news on what model iPhone will be available when it released, with much anticipation surrounding the rumoured release of a 3G model in June.

Vodafone and Apple also couldn't confirm whether or not the Vodafone deal was exclusive, amid rumours that the iPhone will be available on multiple networks in Australia. In the US, the iPhone is exclusively locked to the AT&T network.