[djehuty]

The study mentioned seems to say "iPhone isn't making the profit you might think" even though the thing is spun in the story as "iPhone making a loss for carriers."

But bearing that exaggeration in mind, Strand Consult is three guys in Denmark, and they're not going to make a name for themselves saying "iPhone is great." What I wonder is, if it's not worth having, why O2 and Vodaphone and others are so keen to extend their iPhone operation into other countries?

iPhone is the beginning of a trend that's very negative for mobile carriers - heavy data use (for limited returns and big burden on networks) taking over from heavy call and SMS use (which have enormous profit margins.) There's nothing the carriers can do to prevent this, but it's not going to be good for their mobile spectrum cash cow. So don't blame iPhone, it was too good to last indefinitely anyway.