Well, it looks like Vodafone is about to get what they’ve been seeking. The mobile phone carrier has successfully prompted the German government to look into whether or not rival carrier T-Mobile’s iPhone exclusivity deal breaches German wireless regulations. T-Mobile has already complied with the temporary court order, and is offering unlocked iPhones for almost $1,500 – but the upcoming hearing on November 29 may allow T-Mobile to resume selling iPhones locked exclusively to their network. On the flip-side, we could see T-Mobile forced to permanently offer unlocked iPhones to the German masses.
Of course, the T-Mobile / Vodafone showdown is scheduled for the same day that France’s Orange will be launching their own iPhone (November 29). We’re expecting Orange to offer unlocked iPhones in order to comply with French telecom regulations for a hefty price – so no matter the German court’s decision, krauts in need of an unlocked iPhone may still be in luck. We’ll be watching this court-battle, stay tuned.
[Via: CNN]