O2 Sees iPhone Interest Quadruple

Consumer interest in the 3G iPhone is almost four times more than interest in its 2G predecessor, according to O2.

More than 130,000 people have already pre-registered their interest in the upcoming 3G iPhone. In contrast, only 35,000 people pre-registered their interest in the previous phone between its unveiling on September 18 last year and November 9.

Ronan Dunne, O2 UK chief executive, said the price of the original phone had been "an issue for some segments of the market", but added that iPhone customers were spending 30pc more a year on their mobile bills on average.