Lots of questions as Europe readies for the iPhone

Although few details are known about the anticipated launch of the iPhone in Europe, analysts agree that Apple could be forced to pursue a different distribution strategy than it has in the U.S. and may even tweak a technical feature or two.

Discussion of the iPhone's arrival in Europe intensified following a report in the Financial Times about a deal between Apple and mobile phone operators in three key European markets.

Germany's T-Mobile Deutschland, France's Orange, and Britain's O2 (UK) are reported to have signed exclusive deals to sell the iPhone in their respective markets, with an announcement expected as early as next week, according to the report, which cited unnamed sources.

As part of the deal, the operators agreed to give Apple 10 percent of the revenue they generate from the sale of voice and data services for the device, the report said.

All three operators declined to comment. Other potential partners, including Telefónica and Telecom Italia, are keeping mum as well.

Vodafone Group, Europe's largest mobile phone company, diplomatically pushed the ball into Apple's court. "We really don't have a lot to say, I'm afraid," a company spokesman said. "This is really a question for Apple."

Apple has not provided details about its iPhone strategy in Europe, other than to say it plans to launch the device later this year.

Analysts agree there won't be one deal but several and that each could vary, depending on market conditions.

"I don't expect to see a duplication of the highly exclusive, multiyear commitment that AT&T won in the U.S.," said Emma Mohr-McClune, senior wireless analyst at Current Analysis.

Because no operator covers Europe entirely, Apple will need to work with several operators, according to Mohr-McClune. "We'll see some exclusivity, but it will be short-term, like months not years. I see a parallel to YouTube, which signed exclusive agreements with some operators to sell its mobile service for a limited period of time."

Analysts also expect European operators to bow to Apple demands for a slice of the revenue. "This is the price that operators in Europe will have to pay to benefit from selling a product with a powerful brand," said Niek van Veen, an analyst with Forrester Research.

Operators could be forced to meet additional demands as well, analysts say. To win the contract in the U.S., AT&T had to make numerous concessions in pricing and functions as well as changes in its network, such as the capability to support visual voicemail, which pushes voice messages directly to handsets, according to Ben Wood, director of the London consultancy CCS Insight. "It's that extra 10 percent operators are willing to give that will make all the difference," he said. "In return, they'll have an opportunity to sell to a potentially very lucrative target group of consumers."

Wood warned that Apple needs to have total control over pricing, marketing, and distribution of the versatile iPhone, which besides serving as a telephone, allows users to surf the Web, take and store pictures, and listen to music. If the company doesn't, it could have "a dramatically negative impact" on other parts of its business, in particular the iPod music player, he said.