Apple lines up overseas iPhone partners

CUPERTINO, Calif., May 17 (UPI) -- Apple Inc. says the popularity of its iPhone is gaining international ground, with new distribution deals in place Saturday for Europe and elsewhere.

The Cupertino, Calif., computer and IPod maker has reached an agreement with France's Orange to distribute the iPhone in parts of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the device is so popular it has sold out all stocks available for online sales in the United States and United Kingdom. Only a few iPhones remain at Apple's retail outlets and a major upgrade to a 3G iPhone is expected.

In a company statement, Orange said it intends to sell the iPhone in Austria, Belgium, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Jordan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Switzerland and various African markets later this year.

The deal comes on the heels of an agreement between Apple and Telecom Italia earlier this month to distribute the iPhone for the first time in Italy. Other recent international distribution agreements include a deal with Vodafone for Europe, India, Australia and elsewhere, and with Mexico's America Movil, which says it will offer the iPhone to its Latin American customers.