3G iPhone Coming to Russia by Years End?

When the announcement about countries to be serviced by the iPhone 3G was made at WWDC ’08, many people wondered why Russia, with a huge possibility of popularity for the new iPhone, wasn’t included. Fret not, comrade! In a talk with CNBC, Steve Jobs said he never had plans of leaving Russia out, Apple just never had time to make a deal prior to this year’s WWDC. Steve said that a deal with a Russian carrier can be expected by year’s end.

Now, according to the Moscow Times, many local companies have been chatting with Apple about introducing the device to Russia. The iPhone 3G would be a sure-hit among the people there, as the first-generation iPhone is selling there for upwards of $1,000, and smuggling of the device continues.

Although only two carriers—Mobile TeleSystems and MegaFone—have claimed to have had talks with Apple about the phone, they may be beaten out by VimpelCom, the only Russian phone company with plans for a 3G network.

Via 9 to 5 Mac