Telecommunications company Orange plans to become an iPhone retailer in South Africa as it seeks to expand its product portfolio both online and in its physical store.
Orange does sell refurbished iPhones but the company has yet to sell new Apple devices in the country.
And Orange Horizons South Africa country manager Black Levitan said that the company has built relationships with “local operators responsible for the iPhone” and that it could start selling the devices before year-end.
“We’ve had a really large demand with people saying: ‘When are you getting the iPhone 6; iPhone 6 Plus?’ It’s something we’re keen to offer to our customer base,” said Levitan.
While negotiations are still underway and details are scarce, he said that the latest iPhone could be available on the Orange Store before the end of 2015.
“We hope to have it soon — maybe before Christmas or maybe a bit sooner.”
Meanwhile, other phone brands could also make their way to the local Orange store.
Brands such as Hisense, Mobicel and AG Mobile do not currently feature on the Orange platform, but Levitan said Orange is seeking to expand its product portfolio.
“Customers are interested in these brands, and they want an alternate outlet to buy them and it’s for that reason that we’ll offer those brands.” — Fin24