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Monday, December 29, 2008, 01:00 pm
Contract-free iPhones on sale in France for $1100
Following a recent ruling by local regulators, French consumers can now purchase an iPhone 3G without signing a service contract with Apple-sanctioned wireless carrier Orange, assuming they're willing to digest a considerable markup.MacNN notes that French retailer FNAC is now selling a contract-free version of the black 8GB iPhone for €799 ($1,123), while black or white 16GB models are fetching €899 ($1,263).
That's more than five times the €149 in-contract cost for the 8GB model announced by Orange back in July, and considerably more than similar contract-free offerings in Belgium priced at €529 and €619.
The iPhones on sale at FNAC are believed to be the result of a ruling earlier this month by the French competition counsel, which ordered Apple to immediately cease its exclusive relationship with France Telecom's Orange and allow other local carriers to offer the iPhone to their subscribers.
The counsel's ruling came following a September complaint from France's third largest mobile operator, Bouygues Telecom, which alleged the deal between Apple and its larger rival violated local freedom of competition and pricing laws.
France Telecom has appealed the decision, which is said to be a temporary measure instated by the counsel while it continues to investigate the merits of Bouygues' claims.
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Previous Comments View All
Inconsistent pricing? What's to prevent a user from buying from another country providing unlocked phones? A previous article shows this for about $500 USD less than what you'd pay in France. Or for that matter, buy a $99 refurb from AT&T and break the contract right away. Heck, for the savings, you'd be able to fly to the US to get the phone yourself and have a nice vacation in the meantime.
That would, of course, require that the radios are the same or at least similar enough and there aren't enough carrier-specific lock-ins to prevent moving with the phone. Again, I'm not sure if that's the case.
Sacrebleu
Apple, get this clear: contract-iPhone and/or locked iPhone = NO PURCHASE!
Hahahahahaha! Ahhh... made my day.
Apple, get this clear: contract-iPhone and/or locked iPhone = NO PURCHASE!
Too bad for you 14 million other people (in 2008 alone) don't feel the same way.
Apple, get this clear: contract-iPhone and/or locked iPhone = NO PURCHASE!
I somehow doubt they're that worried about your purchase demands.
Good decision, Apple. If someone starts telling me what I can and can't do with my products, this is what they get.
Hi, converting the amount in dollars makes no sense, if the dollar euro was at 1 to 1, it would appear much cheaper. It's better to compare to prices of other smart phones or iphones sold unlocked in other countries in euro land.
Orange always sold an unlocked phone even before the ruling because they had it according to french law, unfortunately it was very often "unavailable" ...
The ruling was not for unlocked phones to be on sale but rather for other providers to be able to sell it (Bouygues, SFR).
$1,123! <cough cough choke choke!>
Apple, get this clear: contract-iPhone and/or locked iPhone = NO PURCHASE!
Well, you got your wish. Just cough up the $1100.00 and it's yours. I don't know what the shipping charge is from France but the whole deal shouldn't cost you more than $1500.00! Go away, Troll!
Wow, just wow
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 |
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$1,123! <cough cough choke choke!>