No such luck for the US market or other European markets but a German court ordered Apple to sell an unlocked iPhone, the company did so but at a marked up 999 euros instead of the standard T-Mobile locked price of 399 euros.  German mobile services reseller Debitel has decided to pay customers back the difference in price.

The rebate is up to 600 euros and pretty much nullifies any competitive advantage that T-Mobile had.  In adition to the rebate, Debitel also has cheaper iPhone contracts starting at 40 euros per month, also cheaper than the minimum 49 euro contract required by T-Mobile.

The company is not only targeting those wishing to abandon T-Mobile but Vodafone, E-Plus and O2 customers are all fair game.  Users of these services will get all Apple services but not visual voicemail.

According to Reuters Debitel was one of the companies that complained to telecom regulators before the court ruling took place.

Related:

Entry was posted on Wednesday, November 28th, 2007 at 5:37 pm under Cell phones.

Read more entries by Jonathan Schlaffer.
Stumble It!