Orange first with iPad 2 sales pitch

Orange has confirmed it will offer the iPad 2 3G at some point in the future.

No great surprise that, since Orange already offers the 3G iPad. In fact, it would only come as a jolt if the mobile network operator specifically said it wasn't going to offer the iPad 2.

When will Orange begin selling the iPad 2? Apple will begin selling the tablet in the UK on 25 March, but Orange would only say it will be getting the gadget in "in the coming weeks".

Last year, for the UK iPad launch, Apple's resellers didn't get a look in at the start, so Orange may not necessarily get the kit for a while. It depends upon whether Apple has correctly judged demand and allocated sufficient units not only for the UK but also for the US, which gets the iPad 2 this coming Friday, 11 March.

Orange didn't say how much it will subsidise the £529-699 device.

Expect similar announcements from O2, Three, Vodafone et al, all of who already sell the iPad, in due course. ®