With Italy awaiting the release of the Apple iPhone later this year, it looks as if deals have been done to carry the device on the 3G networks of mobile operators TIM and Vodafone, according to Frost & Sullivan (F&S).

The analyst explained that the Italian mobile market has been a hive of activity over the last six months, with the auctioning of some 35 WiMax licences and launch of the country's first mobile virtual network operators, among other things, causing quite a stir.

Saverio Romeo, an analyst with F&S, said: "This looks like it's a done deal and if it is the case, then it just goes to show that between the end of 2007 and the beginning of 2008 Italy has been a hotbed for mobile communications."

Italy has the highest 3G penetration rate in Europe, with 3Italia having acquired over 700,000 subscribers for its mobile video service up to August 2007.

Meanwhile, voice over internet protocol (VoIP) provider Skype announced last week that it has developed a beta version of its software that can be used on internet-enabled mobile phones. The service will initially be available on Motorola, Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson devices.


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