In brief statement, Orange UK has announced that it is to start selling Apple's iPhone later this year. The move breaks the monopoly enjoyed by Telefonica O2 since Apple launched its mobile phone range in 2007.

It had been widely expected that O2 would lose its exclusive rights to sell the iPhone - but thought that other operators would be limited to selling older versions of the iPhone. The statement from Orange confirmed that it will also sell the latest model, the iPhone 3GS as well.

Orange said that it will sell iPhone in all Orange direct channels including Orange shops, the Orange webshop and Orange telesales channels, as well as selected high street partners. More information on pricing, tariffs and availability dates will be released in due course.