D.Telekom's mobile unit clinches iPhone deal: paper

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Deutsche Telekom's (DTEGn.DE: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) mobile phone unit T-Mobile clinched a deal to bring Apple Inc's iPhone handset to Germany, according to a report in a German daily.

Without citing sources Rheinische Post said in a preview of a story to be published on Wednesday that T-Mobile is expected to sell the iPhone exclusively with a T-Mobile contract for around 450 euros ($612) starting Nov 1.

Deutsche Telekom and T-Mobile were not immediately available for comment.

The iPhone, which comes with an in-built iPod, web browser and e-mail software, went on sale in the United States on Friday.

Apple has signed up top U.S. telecoms operator AT&T Inc. (T.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) in an exclusive deal for at least two years to sell the phone in the United States, where customers willing to sign a two-year contract are expected to pay $500 to $600 for a handset.

In Europe, Britain's Vodafone Group (VOD.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), Deutsche Telekom, Paris-based France Telecom (FTE.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Spain's Telefonica (TEF.MC: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) have been tipped as potential partners for Apple.