There are so many good things that have come to the mobile phone market thanks to the iPhone. A few examples being that applications have reached the massive due to the ease of use the iphone has shown, and its started showing people that 3G is not about phone and video calls, but is about data.
But theres another side to the iPhone which has damaged the cell phone market, espically in Europe.
A few years back before the iPhone hit the market, the mobile phone market was simple. Operators made and deployed the network, and offered plans etc, phone makers made phones and provided them to networks and direct to consumers for them to buy, and place there sim cards in. Network exclusivity never existed, phones were reasonably priced and so where phone plans. Mobile phones and mobile networks were years ahead in europe and japan compared to america.
Then came along Apple, an american company. They had this "much wanted" phone they made, and wanted to market it in europe. Instead of doing what other big players like Nokia, Samsung and Sony Erricisson done where they sell the phone they decided they wanted the american strategy in europe. They wanted the phone to be exclusive to a network, and in return they wanted 40% of all revenue the network operator generated, while the customer used the phone.
Instead of standing up for themselves, certain networks in Europe like O2 and Orange didnt want to stand up for themselves and instead agreed to Apples stupid terms.
By the prices of iPhone Tariffs from networks, which are around £10 more expensive than normal tariffs, it was money the network operators couldnt afford to lose, hence the price increase.
Now thanks to Apple and the iPhone, the american mobile phone business model has taken over europe, with many devices coming out which are exclusive to specific networks and have an above average cost.
A few examples include the Palm...