What concessions, if any, that Apple agrees to make to European operators is unclear, but there could be a couple, among them a data transmission technology faster than the currently supported EDGE (Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution) system and visual voicemail.

Higher speed Web surfing on mobile phones is an issue in Europe, according to Mohr-McClune. Operators in the region have been trying to stir more interest in mobile data service by offering, among other things, faster transmission speeds. While most operators have deployed 3G (third-generation) networks, several have upped 3G speeds one notch higher with HSPA (High Speed Packet Access).