After speculation that France Telecom would offer an iPhone unlocking service for around €100, the official word from the carrier has confirmed that customers choosing to buy the handset after its launch this evening will have the option of either an iPhone-specific plan, a generic Orange plan or of buying the phone completely unlocked.  As in other countries with the iPhone, the carrier has put together a number of special iPhone contracts each with a 2-year service agreement and unlimited data access; these are priced from €49 to €119 a month, with the iPhone itself costing €399 ($589).  Alternatively, for €649 and a €100 unlocking fee, Orange will sell you a carrier-independent iPhone; that puts it comfortably into the predicted price range quoted by network CEO Didier Lombard.

For €549 ($810) customers can choose an iPhone locked to the Orange network but with the pick of any of the company’s monthly tariffs, rather than from the specially-created options.  Furthermore, due to French law, France Telecom is obligated to unlock any cellphone it sells after the first six months; that means that users can take their iPhone back and, without needing to pay the €100 fee, have their phone made carrier-independent.

Official Orange France iPhone site: http://iphone.orange.fr/