Couldn't resist joining in the debate on this one.  Predict how will the iPhone fare in the big, bad world?

The iPod works so brilliantly because Apple own so much of the behind the scenes service with iTunes.  In terms of delivering services to mobile handsets, all of this back-end operation represents a valuable income stream for the mobile carriers.  Given that, in Europe at least, the carriers are fiercely chasing every last drop of ARPU, how much of this cash will the mobile carriers be prepared to give away.

In a previous post here, we noted how mobile operators are totally failing to provide the services that their customers want, choosing instead to offer services that are easy to provide and that can be sold at premium prices.  There is no doubt that the iPhone will give the carriers a chance to change this.  How the revenue is shared will be key.  Expect to see the iPhone offered only on certain networks.  Don't expect to find out how the cash is being split.