Who supplies the handsets?
Jules Nicholson (jules.AT.junic.demon.co.uk) writes: In the case of T-Mobile and Orange the manufacturers supply the networks, then the networks (generally) repackage the handsets with network specific documentation, then the networks supply either the dealer directly (if authorised dealer) or supply the dealers via appointed distributors. In the case of Vodafone and O2, it varies a bit more – the networks don’t generally supply handsets at all. Either the dealer buy the handset from the Service Provider, or takes a subsidy commission from the SP and buys their own handsets elsewhere. Since pre-pay has evolved and now generates approximately 70% of all connections all these handsets are sourced and supplied directly by the network to their distribution channels. The dealer almost never has the choice of handset to supply on pre-pay.
