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Nov. 20, 2007

One more time, Vodafone has again challenged Apple's exclusive contract with T-Mobile in Germany.

Vodafone is saying that selling an unsubsidized, locked handset with a 24-month contract violates German competition laws.

On Monday, a court in Hamburg granted a temporary injunction against T-Mobile, though the order doesn't stop the Deutsche Telekom mobile unit from continuing to sell the iPhone.

Specifically, the court order requires T-Mobile to stop marketing the handset only in conjunction with a 2-year contract, and that the device be compatible with other networks.

Another court hearing is scheduled for Dec. 4.

For its part, German carrier Debitel has also filed a complaint with that country's telecom regulator.

A T-Mobile spokesperson said that there is nothing unusual with having an exclusive device in its portfolio, saying that it will continue to sell Apple's handset.

The spokesperson said "the main thing is that we will continue to sell the iPhone. There is no point to stop selling it."

Vodafone has said repeatedly that it isn't looking to block T-Mobile from selling the device, but that it would like to see it sell an unlocked version.

In Europe, typically, locked handsets with exclusive carrier deals are subsidized by the carrier itself and this is where all the controversy stems from.

Vodafone has also said that it doesn't plan to file a similar complaint in other countries where the iPhone is set to go on sale.

The iPhone, Apple's coveted handset will be available next Thursday in France with wireless carrier partner Orange.

Orange plans to offer an unlocked version of the device, in compliance with French telecom regulations.

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Source: Wireless Week