Five UK Networks Will Carry Windows Phone 7

Microsoft has confirmed that Windows Phone 7 (WinP7) will be carried by all the major UK networks when it gets a European launch that is widely expected for the second week in October for Europe.

Microsoft announced last summer that Europe would be the first to see the new phone and that the US launch would be a month later – just in time for Thanksgiving.

October Launch Confirmed

The October launch was accidentally confirmed when HTC’s director for the Middle East and North Africa Mohammad Kais Zribi was interviewed by Gulf News.

“We will be launching Windows Phone 7 handsets next month and we will be concentrating on Android and Windows segments,” Zribi said. “So far we have launched six models and around five more models by end of the year.”

The fact that Microsoft has now revealed that Orange, O2, T-Mobile, 3 and Vodafone have signed up, shows that the day is drawing near when the curtains will be opened. Most of the carriers are keeping quiet about it but 3 is actually giving phones away – or will be.

The company is running a lucky draw, the prize being at least one WinP7-based mobile. All an entrant has to do is sign up to be kept updated about the new phones.

Elsewhere on the web, another HTC leak was taking place as pictures of a phone with HTC and Windows Phone branding spread across the web, emanating from a Taiwanese forum.


Eric Doyle, ChannelBiz

Eric is a veteran British tech journalist, currently editing ChannelBiz for NetMediaEurope. With expertise in security, the channel, and Britain's startup culture, through his TechBritannia initiative

View Comments

  • It is bizarre that Microsoft sent a press release to every media organisation, crowing that its phone platform is available on all the UK networks. It's hardly an achievement, especially since some will only carry a token model. Microsoft is scraping the barrel, desperately trying to rake up some good news about its otherwise perilous Windows Phone 7.

  • There have been claims that some devs see WinP7 as desirable (allegedly) however its a little academic if the consumers are not there to use the software.

    Are we really saying people are going to give up Apple and Android products to have a Microsoft product sticking out of their pocket....sure users may automatically get Windows 7 via OEM without choice, but when it comes down to it, will people consciously go out and buy a Microsoft platform?

    Lets not forget Kin which it seemed everyone but Microsoft saw it being a flop. Or how about going back a little further, I had a shocking experience with Winmob and an MDA mail...I don't believe I was alone.

    Of course Microsoft will undoubtedly claim WinP7 a success on launch day...allegedly they are giving it away for free to their employee's.

    Time will tell....after the MS "Apple Funeral" PR stunt, the Kin et al, its clear to me that Microsoft mobile strategy is just shooting in the dark.

  • @David C., go back to your iPhone or your bug/virus-ridden Android system and don't bother trying to misinform people.

  • The fact that WP7 is launching on all major UK network is a sign it's going to be success.
    Snide comments aside no other phone release has been this huge of supported.

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