Apple’s iconic iPhone device may be a hit with consumers but it is doing little to increase operator profits, according to a report released this week by Danish firm Strand Consult. The report claims to have examined the financial figures of those operators focused on the iPhone and draws the conclusion that “the closer a relationship is between an operator and Apple, the larger negative influence it has on the operator’s overall business case from a shareholder’s viewpoint.” Going a step further, the report says not one of the operators analysed have increased their market share, revenue, or earnings as a result of introducing the iPhone, whilst some operators have even sent out profit warnings because of the device.

The iPhone now has a global following since its launch in mid-2007. In its latest quarter Apple sold 5.2 million devices, compared to 268 million phones sold around the world by all handset manufacturers. In countries such as the US and UK the device is sold exclusively by one operator (AT&T and O2, respectively), who are believed to be heavily subsidising the device in order to drive sales.