iPhone finally gets FCC approval: green light for launch
The wait for approval is finally over, as the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has given approval for the iPhone to be used commercially.
The publicly available FCC documents confirm some of the details we already know about the iPhone - Wi-Fi and Bluetooth operation for example - though Apple has asked that some documents, including photos of the phone and the user manual, not be released for another 45 days, with other documents including diagrams, a schematic of the radio, the radio bill of materials, and operational descriptions, remaining private indefinitely.
Interestingly, the documents confirm that the phone will operate on the 1900MHz and 850MHz frequency bands, meaning that the original US version of the iPhone can't be used in Europe. That seems a little antiquated, harking back to the '90s when it was difficult to roam anywhere outside your own country.
Having said that, it could be seen as a positive move for Europeans. If the first generation iPhone won't work in Europe, then there will have to be an updated version. Why not make that one 3G?
It also means that there's little point in trying to pick up an iPhone a few months early on eBay - unless you like walking around with expensive, but connectionless bling. I suppose the iPod-like features of the iPhone will work anywhere from the word go, though news has been circulating about a 'special' way to unlock the iPhone, and that no doubt involves AT&T.
No useful black market iPhones, then, but at least US citizens can now look forward to a clean launch next month.
AppleInsider has published the FCC documents.
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