Some interesting stuff is in the works among the iPhone marketplace as wireless carrier Virgin announced its emergence as the fourth Australian provider for the iPhone and the price of the handset's ownership is on the decline for Japanese users.

According to MacNN, the iPhone will ship to Russia next year with wireless carrier Megafona stating that the firm is currently in negotiations to carry the device.

Though the handset has yet to be available in Russia, the nation has one of the highest concentrations of iPhone users in the world via the burgeoning grey market for the handset.

In Japan, Softbank Corp, Japan's third-biggest mobile phone operator, stated on Tuesday it will cut its monthly fees for the iPhone, to as little as 2,990 yen a month, down from 7,280 yen before.

In Australia, carrier Virgin Mobile Australia stated that it has become the fourth carrier to offer the iPhone 3G. The firm joins carriers Vodafone, Optus and Telstra and will offer various plans, each with a free iPhone.

If you've heard anything on your end about these changes, let us know in the comments or forums.