According to a source familiar with the matter, the operator SFR, a subsidiary deVivendi, is poised to become the exclusive distributor in France of Google smartphone, Nexus One, launched Tuesday in the United States. For the record, SFR had already obtained the exclusive G1 or HTC Dream, the first mobile phone using Android, the operating system from Google.
According to press reports, the U.S. giant has decided to choose one operator per country to relay its new jewel, now distributed directly by Google on its online store.
The Nexus One is now sold for 529 dollars without contract and $ 179 with a contract T-Mobile in the United States.In Europe, the smartphone should be offered to around 370 euros without contract and at least 200 euros in the case of a package of 24 less.
According to the weekly Le Point, Vodafone could sell the "Superphone" Google before the end of the first quarter at a price below 200 euros for a unit purchased with a monthly package available to less than 50 euros, and engaging for two years.
Google has already signed a partnership with Britain's Vodaphone for the marketing of the "Google phone" in Europe, and with Verizon in the U.S.. Confirmation of the exclusivity of SFR in France for distribution could be made "in the coming days," says the source close to the matter.
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