It has been quite for a while around the topic of which carriers in Europe will be offering the Apple iPhone. The reason may have been the summer vacation time, where most businesses in Europe are bascally doing nothing. Now there is a new rumor that Orange (France Telekom) is close to a deal with Apple to offer the iPhone in France.

The rumor has originate at macscoop and picked up by Le Figaro and Forbes.
My sources confirmed that in Germany T-Mobile will be the one to offer the iPhone. They are in the midst of preparing a marketing blitz for the iPhone launch. There have been several indicators already as well that point to T-Mobile having the deal.

The iPhone maybe hitting European shelves already in September.