In all current arrangements, Apple selects a particular carrier for the iPhone in a given country and then makes that carrier the country's exclusive iPhone partner. In the U.S., AT&T is that carrier, so if you want an iPhone, you have to go to Ma Bell. Of course, not everyone likes this arrangement and there's long been grumbling about it.

That grumbling could change soon, though, since it's been confirmed that later this year Italy will be the first country without iPhone exclusivity. Italy will soon have two carriers offering the iPhone, Telecom Italia and Vodafone.

Here's hoping this practice spreads to the U.S.