Vodafone Gets Restraining Order on T-Mobile's iPhone Sales

Published on: 19th November 2007

DUESSELDORF -(Dow Jones)- The German unit of Vodafone Group has obtained a restraining order against Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile unit prohibiting the German telecommunications giant from selling Apple's 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.

A spokesman for the Hamburg-based court wasn't immediately available to comment.

-By Stefan Mechnig, Dow Jones Newswires; +49 69 297 25 111; stefan.mechnig@dowjones.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

 

Tags: [deutsche telekom]  [Germany]