Court order T-Mobile Germany to sell contract-free iPhone
This could get ugly, folks. A German court has ordered T-Mobile Germany to sell the newly released European iPhone free from the shackles of the current mandatory 2-year service contract. This could create serious problems for T-Mobile, who has presumably shelled out some serious coin for the honor of being the exclusive German carrier of Apple’s "Jesus Phone." The court has issued a temporary injunction against iPhone sales, effectively halting German access to the handset. Not tight for consumers who have been chomping at the bit to get their hands on the device. Not surprisingly, the injunction comes as a result of a complaint filed by rival carrier Vodafone. Though they’re clearly motivated by fear, Vodafone made the move under the guise of a desire to keep Germany’s cell market free from locked handsets and further contract restriction, which is a cause we can wholeheartedly support. No word yet from Apple or T-Mobile Germany. The other twist to this article, however, is another piece from the Financial Times who said this won’t "disrupt sales for the Christmas season. Stay tuned, folks.
well only if all would be this way we would just have to pay up the nose for these phones
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@ ryan
But iphone owners paying through nose now and with the added cherry on top that at&t owns you for two years. I wish the US has the cojones to do something like this….
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theo only alternatrive is tmo US silly they should just sell it unlock without the need for iplans if i was tmo germany if file suit against apple an get my money back or ask for refun since the injuntion would breach the contract with tmo germany an apple since nether party would be able to meet the terms mors so if vodaphone pays money to apple for te same deal.
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This would never work in the US too many corrupt politicians and corporate big shots would be pissed. I’m not but I would port in a minute if a carrier was screwing up that bad. I know around me allot of people bought the iphone and than unlocked it and ported to tmo with in the 30 day trial period. U have 2 weeks to try the device or return it BUT you have 30 days to try or leave AT&T’s service. You walk into TMO here and see allot of iPhones.
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Stop whining. If you don’t want to pay for the phone and service, don’t buy the iPhone. It’s not about corrupt politicians or corporate big shots. Only losers whine about stuff like that.
Waaa. I have sand in my crack.
If you think the iPhone can be done cheaply and w/o commitments, why don’t you step up to the plate and come up with a competitor?
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Are these IPhones similar to the ones you were going to give away but never did????????
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@Usually Named
I know all about the “Subsidy crack” that carriers use to sell service. You’re not telling me anything I don’t know already.
And if you think that a device like the iphone cannot be done w/o commitments then you are mistaken. It can happen if certain conditions were to exist that don’t right now.
Google “cell phone Carterphone” for more info.
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OMG enough with the freakin’ iPhone news already. Yea great t-mo’s getting screwed in Germany by Vodafone. yay. But really enough with it, Josh I know you can do better than this. Let’s see your sparkle with some better news.
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I thought this was good news for the cunsumer but it’s not. @Jeff B Tmobile isn’t the only ones being screwed here by vodaphone but every one how wants an unlocked phone is. Check out this link $1500 for a unlocked phone germany is just plan crazy.
http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/21/t-mobile-responds-to-vodafone-iphone-injunction/
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Well shit, for $1500 I’d fly here to the U.S. to pick up an iPhone, fly back, then pay somebody to unlock it.
Or, I’d just pay the $800 list price for an unlocked Kaiser, screw the damned iPhone. a Kaiser is better and does more for about half the price of an unlocked iPhone from t-mo Germany.
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To jeff b. Couldntn’t say it better myself.
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