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Irish Eyes Not Smiling at Apple
by beano 
on 03 Mar 2008 at 12:00. Categories: Northern Ireland, Irish Republic, Lifestyle, Music, Business & Economy Some time ago I gave a few examples of practical, everyday benefits of being a part of the United Kingdom as distinct from the Republic of Ireland. I've stumbled across further examples on a semi-regular basis since then, but I couldn't believe that the iPhone hadn't been released (officially) in "Ireland" [sic] yet.
Apparently there are a few complaints that the price of the iPhone in the rip-off Republic is going to be even higher than the price in the United Kingdom (of rip-off Britain and rip-off Northern Ireland) when it is finally launched down south (where it also looks like being an O2 exclusive), just 4 months after UK consumers got their mits on the device.
Follow up:
By my reckoning the price difference is minimal (£35ish), but following a recent tariff overhaul you get a shedload more minutes and texts with O2 UK (600 and 500 up from 200 of each versus 175 minutes and 100 texts with O2 Ireland) and unlimited data instead of the 1GB the Republic's customers will get. Being a relatively light user, that wouldn't bother me personally too much, despite unlimited data being one of the saving graces of the extortionate plan, but I'd be raging at having to wait an extra 4 months to get it; that is if I didn't want a Nokia N95 8GB instead anyway.
Oh, the launch date is the 14th of March, if anyone's interested.
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4 comments
Its all down to the negotiations of the local providers. Believe it or not, you cannot get the iPhone in Australia nor Canada yet!
Anyway, its much handier/cheaper getting one brought in from the US and hacking it
Apparently there are a few complaints that the price of the iPhone in the rip-off Republic is going to be even higher than the price in the United Kingdom
Much as the UK loves claiming the Rip Off title. The ROI is much more deserving of it. Food, drink, electrical products and services are all more expensive in the ROI then elsewhere in Europe
On top of currency and VAT (yes VAT is levied on magazines in the Republic 21% no less) the distributers (usually Easons) take their cut as well.
Having paid all this what does the reader find only that half the offers and services (Often including the magazines own competitions) therein are "only available to UK residents"
As for phones that are locked to a network (Do you KNOW how much it costs to use a UK phone down South) though I wouldnt take one If hey gave it away.
Sadly, yes. Though O2 aren't bad if you have big text bundles you can text back to the UK at a cost of 4 free text credits. Wouldn't ever answer or make a call though.
Second, the difference between the UK and the Republic is given at about $100. But wait! The Euro has appreciated heavily over the past little while against the pound, Last time I checked the rate was around £1 = 1.30 Euro. I'd wager it wasn't that when the price was set, and if the Euro returned to historical norms, I'd reckon that's probably reverse a little. The Dollar isn't even worth talking about.
Third, if you have a lot of cross border travel, 3 is the network you want. You can phone back to the North and it just comes off your normal minutes allowance. And I think they are cheaper on phoning Southern numbers too.
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