The hype on the iphone and the decision of O2 to continue to bar their own authorised dealers to sell this especially on the run up to Christmas is disgraceful and shows how little O2 values its dealers, it would have made more sales, if they has allowed them to sell from day 1.  Why have they got to wait, start this week and tell all your dealers they can sell it now. 

O2 had plenty of time to sort out a business tariff prior to launch, they have known about the iphone for some time, but they have failed to have anything in place.  In all O2 have done themselves no favours with lack of planning and a poor launch with only CPW again selling it.  Businesses are eager to buy and what’s O2’s suggestion, get a consumer tariff and they will help to port numbers.  What a way to treat buyers.  We had thought 3 had been bad in the past to its dealers on the run up to Christmas but O2 takes the award of the bent bucket for the treatment of its dealers and failing to provide business tariffs, lack of planning and forethought.

The past year for dealers has not been good and most dealers have been frustrated by the network only deals especially on the run up to Christmas.  Cashback has put some companies to the wall, and distributors have been picking up the pieces, whilst those dealers still in operation have been finding it tough going.

3 network came out with a brilliant set of Mix and Match plans to challenge T-Mobile and was widely welcomed by dealers.  The IMPDA is growing all the time, and Ofcom and MP’s are talking to dealers for the very first time, so there was some light in the dealer tunnel.

We still have not seen POS material for December from 3 and I have a feeling that again just before January it will turn up, again poor planning.

No statement still on letting their authorised dealers start selling the iPhone now, what poor support that is, again the small dealer gets left out whilst the large CPW is left to sell, if that’s not one sided, then I don’t know what is.

If as its been reported in Mobile today that T_Mobile are putting off dealers from connecting new connections and upgrades until January, then this is going to be a poor Christmas period for dealers.

Dealers need to have support both from the distributors and networks, and need something to enhance sales this Christmas, so far not a lot, so we can only ask if they can come up with something which will help dealers in what should be the busiest time of the year.

The IMPDA are planning to do podcasts on the site soon, so we will have discussions, interviews, and news affecting the industry.  Paul Marks with his extensive experience in Hospital radio will be part of the new podcast team so we hope everyone will enjoy the experience.