One thing whilst browsing around today that was not difficult to notice was the rumour that Apple may be ditching UK network O2, current service providers for the iPhone and letting Orange get in on some of the action. This is according to Ernest Doku, a blogger who said that he had received from information from very credible sources on the matter.

The reasoning behind this rumour may stem from the fact that O2 recently cocked up the iPhone 3G launch, and although many other networks in other countries have had problems, O2’s troubles began before the phone was even released, when the pre-order system online collapsed, leaving many, including myself, dissapointed without any iPhones to satisy our needs. Two weeks after the troubles of July 11th, O2 explain that they are sure everyone will have one by the end of the summer (over a month away…).

Now although Apple have signed contracts with carriers in most countries for each network to have exclusivity of the iPhone, the terms and conditions of their contract with O2 may allow Apple to override this and join with a second carrier. Of course, the T&C’s of this deal have never been seen, so we are basically guessing here.

This may be some bloggers attempt at 15 minutes in the spotlight, but the reasoning for such a move on Apple’s part makes complete sense, and would surely deal a massive blow to O2, who would no longer be the only carrier able to offer the iPhone on it’s network.

To read about this more, take a look at The Registers article.