Hot on the heels of the announcement yesterday from network provider Orange that it would be selling Apple iPhone handsets to customers later this year, comes news of a similar deal for iPhones from Vodafone, another of the UK’s mobile giants.

Vodafone might be slightly bruised at missing out on the consumer and tech PR frenzy won yesterday by Orange, but Apple will clearly be delighted at the momentum.

In fact, anyone working in or around mobile technology in the UK – especially those spearheading mobile functionality for travel brands – will be doubly pleased that three of the four major networks will be pushing not only their existing 3G handsets but also the iPhone.

This now leaves just a few unanswered questions:

• What will Google do to thrust the Android project into the mainstream?
• Can Nokia “do an Apple” and create their own buzz?
• Will travel brands hastily re-write their R&D budgets to secure not only mobile-friendly sites but additional, app-based functionality?

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