InternetiPhone Sales in Russia Seen at 3.5M in Two Years

Apple's handset has become a status symbol in Moscow.

Apple expects to sell 3.5 million iPhones in Russia in the next two years, according to market sources familiar with new deals being struck by Russian carriers. Up to 600,000 iPhones have already flooded into Russia through unauthorized sales, but now at least two carriers have signed an official framework agreement with the manufacturer. One more deal is expected next week, according to analysts and market sources. A market source told Reuters on Thursday that Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) (NYSE: MBT), Russia's largest carrier, had agreed with Apple to sell iPhones, probably starting in October. Eldar Murtazin, an analyst with Moscow-based Mobile Research Group, said he had information that MTS was targeting sales of 1 million iPhones within the next two years. RELATED ARTICLES Jobs: iPhone Software Downloads Booming GIPS Technology to Voice-Enable iPhone Apps Gartner: iPhone 'Acceptable' in the Enterprise iPhone Lawsuit: Woes Ahead for Apple, Carriers? A Quiet iPhone 3G Launch in India? For more stories on this topic: "Total sales by the big three carriers will amount to 3.5 million iPhones within the next two years," Murtazin said, citing sources familiar with the negotiations. MTS and its key rivals, Vimpelcom (NYSE: VIP) and MegaFon, which are also talking to Apple, declined to comment. Apple said it aimed to sell 10 million iPhones worldwide this year, though analysts said it would beat its target after its new... [ Read more on www.internetnews.com ]

InternetIntuit Brings QuickBooks To Blackberry and iPhone (NewsFactor)

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