Telecom Italia In Deal With Apple To Launch iPhone In Italy

MILAN (Dow Jones) -- Telecom Italia SpA (TI) said Tuesday it has signed a deal with Apple Inc. (AAPL) to bring the iPhone to Italy later this year.

Italy's largest telecoms operator didn't provide additional details.

Apple has been criticized for shielding the iPhone from a bigger potential audience by allowing only one wireless carrier in each country to sell the device, a combination of a smartphone and media player.

As part of these exclusive deals, iPhones that are sold are largely locked to that carrier's network.