Vodafone vs T-Mobile over IPhone?

Apparently Vodaphone is seeking injuction in Germany over the T-Mobile exclusive IPhone deal. Apparently, local law doesn’t permit it.

DUESSELDORF -(Dow Jones)- The German unit of Vodafone Group PLC (VOD) has obtained a restraining order against Deutsche Telekom AG’s (DT) T-Mobile unit prohibiting the German telecommunications giant from selling Apple Inc.’s (AAPL) iPhone in Germany.

The restraining order was issued by a regional court in Hamburg Monday, a Vodafone Deutschland spokesman told Dow Jones Newswires.

Vodafone is questioning Deutsche Telekom’s iPhone sales practices, the spokesman said. Deutsche Telekom is marketing the iPhone exclusively in Germany.

Specifically, Vodafone is questioning the iPhone’s exclusive use in T-Mobile’s network and the use of the device being limited to certain fees within T- Mobile’s subscription offerings.

Vodafone isn’t generally opposed to T-Mobile’s exclusivity contract with Apple, but wants to have these new sales practices examined, the spokesman said. The restraining order doesn’t aim at a total sales stop, he added.

A spokesman for T-Mobile Monday confirmed the restraining order has been issued, adding that the company is examining the issue. So far, it is too early to comment on possible consequences for the company, he said.

Link from here

Scroll Up