Author: Susan Schrank

When Apple's 3G iPhone finally makes its appearance, word is that it will sell for as little as 100 pounds ($197) in the UK, Pocket-lint reports. O2 has exclusive rights to sell the iPhone in the UK.

In a move that's as unlike Apple as, well, allowing multiple operators in the same country to sell the iPhone, it might allow O2 to subsidize the new model.

A rumor trail that leads back to "a source close to the deal" has the 3G iPhone hitting the street in the UK in July, soon after its US debut.

In related news: Remember back last month when the lack of iPhones in the UK was making headlines all over the place? Well, it looks like some enterprising employees at UK mobile operator O2 might know something about where a few of those handsets have gone - they put 'em up for sale on eBay.

Cellular-news is reporting that O2 has already fired at least six staffers and is investigating 20 more who allegedly used their employee discount to buy up a bunch of iPhones only to resell them on eBay for a nice profit.

All the staffers involved reportedly work in London stores and purchased enough iPhones with their 20% discounts to make O2's corporate office take notice and start an investigation.

Post courtesy of MobileContentToday.