iPhone sales seen at 3.5 mln in two years: source

Apple expects to sell 3.5 mln iPhones in Russia in the next two years, according to market sources familiar with new deals being struck by Russian carriers.
Up to 600,000 iPhones have already flooded into Russia through unauthorized sales but now at least two carriers have signed an official framework agreement with the manufacturer and one more deal is expected next week, according to analysts and market sources.
A market source told Reuters on Thursday Mobile TeleSystems, Russia's largest carrier, had agreed with Apple to sell iPhones, probably starting in October
Eldar Murtazin, an analyst with Moscow-based Mobile Research Group, said he had information that MTS was targeting sales of 1 mln iPhones within the next two years.
"Total sales by the Big Three carriers will amount to 3.5 mln iPhones within the next two years," Murtazin said, citing sources familiar with the negotiations.
MTS and its key rivals, Vimpelcom and MegaFon, which are also talking to Apple, declined to comment.
Apple said it aimed to sell 10 mln iPhones worldwide this year, though analysts said it would beat its target after its new model, which supports third generation (3G) high speed data, sold at a rate of 1 mln units in the first weekend.
IPhones have not been sold officially in Russia but have become a status symbol in the Russian capital with handsets brought into the country in suitcases or by courier.
Murtazin said the start of authorized sales is unlikely to trigger a big wave of consumer demand.