3G iPhone rumored for Italy without contract and unlocked?

The 3G iPhone launch has media outlets the world over buzzing over what the next-generation iPhone will look like and where it will be launched. The latest report comes from Italian language La Repubblica, and indicates that Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) and Telecom Italia (NYSE: TI) Mobile (TIM) have already signed a deal to bring the 3G iPhone to Italy. Franco Bernabè, CEO Telecom Italia, apparently made the trip out to Cupertino to meet with Steve Jobs and ink said deal.

More interesting is the speculation that the Italian 3G iPhone could break the mold and could be offered without contract or carrier lock. Apple has demanded revenue sharing agreements and on-contract, carrier exclusivity from all iPhone partners (with the exception of France), but this new deal represents a stark departure from Apple’s business model for the iPhone.

The deal is said to provide TIM with a 3-month exclusivity window on the 3G iPhone. And, Apple will reportedly allow the 3G iPhone to be sold unlocked, contract-free. The next-generation iPhone will be sold at a higher price than anywhere else in Europe.

Apple will likely maintain its revenue-sharing and carrier-lock policy with its 3G iPhone in other parts of the world. However, TIM could prove to be the sole source of unlocked and 3G iPhones – at a premium, of course.

[Via: AppleInsider]