News
Softbank slashes iPhone pricing
Stuart O'Brien Aug 5 2008, 2:54pm
Japanese operator cuts its tariff by 50 per cent just weeks after launch.
Softbank could be offering the cheapest iPhone deal in the world right now - the entry level contact now comes in at just £14 a month (excluding data), down from the £34 it was charging at the July 11th launch.
Flat rate data charges have been adjusted down to between £8 and £28 a month, depending on usage.
The operator said it made the move in order to attract a wider demographic to the device and insisted it was not a reaction to poor sales.
In the company's quarterly earnings presentation, Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son said: "For the price plan, we are changing it so it will be easier for so-called entry-level users to jump in... iPhone buyers tend to be heavy cellphone users and have a higher ARPU than users of ordinary handsets, so businesswise we will do well enough."
Apple's device is currently sold out in Japan, with Softbank hoping to receive new stock on Wednesday this week.
