Vodafone Group Plc has has signed an agreement with Apple to sell the iPhone in ten of its markets around the globe.

Later this year, Vodafone customers in Australia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey will be able to purchase the iPhone for use on the Vodafone network.

When contacted Vodafone New Zealand could not confirm a launch date. The company also denied thet the deal involved a rumoured 3G compatible Apple iPhone.

Vodafone New Zealand is currently deploying a second 3G network operating in the 900 MHz band, which will be run in parallel to the current 2100 MHz network.