The iPhone will be compatible with Edge and GSM data networks, it has been reported.
Apple has chosen the most popular networks in the US and Europe respectively, although it has not ruled out further improvements which would allow the iPhone to work with 3G networks.
Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice-president of worldwide iPod marketing, told Macworld: "Here in the US Edge is the most widely deployed data network so that was the obvious choice."
He added that a lot of chip sets used for 3G are short on battery life, while WiFi network usage can be "very fast".
Meanwhile, marketing professionals have said that the launch of the iPhone could initiate a "more robust" medium for the industry.
Third Screen Media chief executive Tom Burgess told Media Post that the device is the "beachhead" for converging mobile products, combining the iPod with a video player and a phone.
© 2006 Adfero Ltd
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