40,000 iPhones are in use in Switzerland
Although iPhones are not actually allowed to be sold in Switzerland, a total of 40,000 devices are already in use with various telephone companies. As reported in *Sonntag*, 20,000 people at Swisscom alone are using the new Apple phone to make calls.
Although iPhones are not actually allowed to be sold in Switzerland because manufacturer Apple has not yet appointed an official dealer, a total of 40,000 devices are already in use at various telephone companies. According to an article in the Sonntagszeitung newspaper, 20,000 people are using the new Apple phone at Swisscom alone. The devices are sold by dealers in Switzerland, and all telephone companies offer a reduced sales price when a subscription is taken out. According to "Sonntag", Apple is not exactly pleased about the sale in the legal gray area. The company warns that unauthorized changes to the device could invalidate the warranty. The "unauthorized changes" refer to the unlocking (or "hacking") of the devices so that they can be used in Switzerland. According to legal experts, the company could confiscate devices not sold by an official partner in Switzerland. However, this is probably not being done for image reasons.
Apple is leaving it open as to when the phone will finally be officially available in this country. Market leader Swisscom is still the favorite to become the official seller in Switzerland. The iPhone is currently officially available in the USA, France, Germany, Austria, England and Ireland.
