iPhone is spreading its magic in Europe. Orange has sold 70,000 iPhones since it launched the Apple handset on 28 November, according to La tribune, a French Newspaper. The operator had set a minimum target of 50,000 unit sales target for the month, according to France Telecom chairman and CEO Didier Lombard.

When iPhone was launched, the company had predicted sales of 400,000-500,000 in the first year, a figure it will easily surpass if the first month''s sales are replicated throughout the next 12 months.

"At this the start of January, the pace remains in line, even after the holiday period," Lombard said, according to the paper. The report added that Orange acquired 48% of its iPhone users from rival operators, a figure it noted fell short of that recorded in the U.K., where O2 attracted 60% of its iPhone customers from outside its existing subscriber base.

Meanwhile, 82% of those who bought iPhones from Orange in France subscribed to one of the operator's four specific iPhone tariff plans, while just 5% bought the handset for use on another operator's network.

Due to French market regulations, Orange is required to offer customers an unlocked version of the iPhone, but the minimal take-up of this is likely due to the cost. The list price on an unlocked handset is €649, but this rises by a further €100 to €749 if the customers wishes the phone to be unlocked during the first six months, that is, until the end of May.

The handset costs €399 when bought alongside one of Orange's special tariff plans, which range from €49 to €119 per month, or €549 with any other Orange plan.