Vodafone started offering iPhone on its network on 14th January, more than two years after the launch of the first iPhone. Despite the presence of other operators for a longer period of time, Vodafone has sold an impressive number of 100,000 units of iPhone just during the first week of sale.

Though industry analysts categories iPhone as a consumer device, Vodafone is targeting the corporate users for selling the Apple’s smartphone.

Peter Kelly, Director at Vodafone UK stated: "We have an opportunity to win customers who have been waiting for the iPhone to become available on a business-focused network."

He further explained Vodafone’s "deep and wide" 3G connectivity and added: "If you are going to deploy mission-critical apps to the field, you need to be sure of the network, and that you can get a connection."

According to Vodafone, iPhone has a great appeal towards corporate users due to touch-based user interface and the availability of many business related apps.

"Customers are saying they can do new and different things with the iPhone. There are lots of other good devices for mobile email, but because of its user interface the iPhone is starting to bridge the gap between smartphones and netbooks. It's not just for voice, text and email," Mr Kelly said.

The much-hyped Google’s Nexus One is also likely to be available on Vodafone’s network soon.