Apple to add sixth US carrier partner later this month [updated]

Earlier today we told you that nTelos had landed the iPhone. The Virginia-based regional carrier is scheduled to start offering the handset on Friday, April 20th.

But apparently it’s not the only US carrier partner Apple is adding this month. Alaska Communications has also announced today that it will soon be offering the smartphone…

Just like with nTelos, the iPhone 4S will become available to Alaska Communications customers on April 20th. It will also see the same $50 discount, with prices starting at $150 for the 16GB model.

Alaska Communications is small, with just around 100,000 subscribers. But the move is still a significant one by Apple. This will be the Cupertino company’s sixth wireless partner here in the US, a country which only had one iPhone carrier just a little over a year ago.

Apple is obviously looking to expand its outreach by adding as many carrier partners as possible — a method which has helped Android garner a majority of the smartphone market over the past year.

[AppleInsider]

Update: MacRumors has just received word that three additional regional carriers have announced iPhone partnerships today, bringing the total number of US iPhone partners to 8:

  • CSpire
  • nTelos
  • Alaska Communications
  • Appalachian Wireless
  • GCI
  • Cellcom
  • Verizon Wireless
  • Sprint
  • AT&T

Hmm… this is getting interesting.