Apple/T-Mobile Forced To Unlock iPhone In Germany
11.21.07 - 11:10am
You can now buy the iPhone unlocked in Germany, but it will cost you. You’ll pay 999 euros, or a cool $1480 for the unlocked device.
T-Mobile Germany has unlocked the iPhone due to a lawsuit by rival contender Vodaphone who got a Hamburg judge to sign off on blocking iPhone sales, claiming breached local competition laws, since the phone was locked into T-Mobile.
Vodaphone tried to get the iPhone contract but failed in the negotiations. Obviously afraid of losing current and potential customers to the iPhone lure they are fighting to keep themselves in level competition.
The decision by the Hamburg court is a preliminary one but effected a stay against T-Mobile selling the iPhone without selling unlocked versions.
T-Mobile is appealing the decision, but in order to comply with the court, agreed to sell the iPhone unlocked for the super premium price. The handset is still being offered for $399 euros, or $592, with a 2-year T-mobile contract.
While the judgment was just in Germany it is important for Apple and T-Mobile to win the case, or it could potentially cause Apple’s other contracts to be in jeopardy.
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