[ghoti]

Vodafone had sued T-Mobile in Germany over the fact that the iPhone can only be used in T-Mobile's network. After a bit of back and forth, T-Mobile is now going to sell unlocked iPhones, at least for a limited time (I can't find an English-speaking source, but there is an article in Spiegel). You too can own an unlocked iPhone for only €999 (almost $1500 at the current exchange rate)! Also, if you bought yours in Germany after November 19, you can have it unlocked for free.

I guess we now know that the iPhone is subsidized, if not by the carriers then by Apple. I'm sure there was a provision for unlocked phones in the contract between Apple and carriers all along, especially in Europe. T-Mobile has announced that they will look into their options, and possibly countersue Vodafone for damages, so the fun continues. Plus, the launch of the iPhone in France is promising even more fun, due to the way French law does not seem to even allow tying a phone to a carrier for a limited time.

Edit: ArsTechnica has the story now in English.

[Jerman]

I find it interesting that you can have your iPhone unlocked for free... Who would pay the really high price for an unlocked one? I would think even after cancellation fees, purchasing it and then having it unlocked would be cheaper. Is there something I am completely missing here?

[AWR]

Euro1000!

That's absurd.

I'm (was) looking forward to getting an (unlocked) iPhone "soon". I guess not. I'll wait until there is a E500 option. I guess it might be a while. Meh. Whatever.

[chucker]

Originally Posted by ghoti Plus, the launch of the iPhone in France is promising even more fun, due to the way French law does not seem to even allow tying a phone to a carrier for a limited time.

Well, the French iPhone will be available unlocked, and the rumored figure was more 600-ish.

[Koodari]

Originally Posted by chucker Well, the French iPhone will be available unlocked, and the rumored figure was more 600-ish.

But there cannot be a real price difference between the two countries due to the EU free trade system. If the rumor were correct, the German operator would insta-drop the price as soon as the phone became available in France.

[ghoti]

They're only selling the high-priced unlocked one until they get the current ruling overturned or can do something else (hence also the price I guess). The free unlocking may be there to stay, though. And that is also the more interesting option in any case, because AFAIK the penalty for leaving a contract early is not so severe in Germany.