Challenges emerge for the iPhone in Europe
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Published:
Week 47
November 2007 -
Image Source:
Apple
News:
Vodafone has won a temporary injunction prohibiting T-Mobile Deutschland GmbH from continuing to sell the Apple iPhone solely in conjunction with a T-Mobile 24 month service contract and without the ability to use the device on other operator networks. Vodafone sought the injunction on the basis of local German competition law and does not intend to make similar challenges in other markets such as the UK.
T-Mobile has responded by offering the iPhone at a contract-free price of €999 with immediate effect until the legal aspects of the injunction have been clarified. In addition, iPhones purchased since November 19th will be unlocked free of charge at a customers’ request because this was the date the injunction was submitted by Vodafone.
T-Mobile will maintain this approach until a hearing by a Hamburg court which is expected within the next two weeks. If upheld, Apple and T-Mobile will be forced to continue providing unlocked iPhones and a broader choice of accompanying T-Mobile tariffs.
In a separate development, media reports citing privacy concerns are claiming that code residing in the iPhone software has the capability to monitor data on the device.
