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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, July 11, 2008

Belgium iPhone world's priciest

 •  Long line expected for new iPhone

Associated Press

BRUSSELS, Belgium — Belgians finally get the chance to buy one of Apple Inc.'s coveted iPhones today — at the highest prices in the world.

The 8-gigabyte iPhone will retail for 525 euros ($825) — more than four times the U.S. price of $199. The 16-gigabyte version costs 615 euros ($966). The same phone would cost $299 in the U.S.

Belgian Enterprise Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne blamed a local law that forbids companies subsidizing one product by charging more for something else.

The Belgian iPhone carrier, Mobistar, claims it isn't worried that high prices will deter customers. It is expecting lines at stores in Brussels when the phones go on sale today.

For the first few weeks, shoppers won't be allowed to buy more than one iPhone each — even if they could afford it.