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European Carriers Complain To EU About Anti-Competitive Contracts With Apple

Posted by timothy on from the we-don'-wanna dept.

whoever57 writes "Several European phone carriers have complained to the EU about the contracts that Apple imposes on them if they want to sell the iPhone. Because the contracts stipulate a minimum purchase, and the Carrier must compensate Apple if they fail to sell through that minimum, it has the effect of forcing the carrier to promote iPhones ahead of alternative phones. The European Commission is monitoring the situation. Apple claims that its 'contracts fully comply with local laws wherever we do business, including the EU.'"

5 of 146 comments (clear)

  1. Now you know how your customers feel, carriers! by jaskelling · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So...carriers...you signed a contract. It's something you can't get out of because it's something you NEED to have to succeed. But...the prices are exorbitant, you're being bent over and pounded from behind, and you feel you have no recourse, no matter how much you bitch and whine? Congratulations! Now you know how every single one of your customers feels on a daily basis. You're not going to get one iota of sympathy from me.

    1. Re:Now you know how your customers feel, carriers! by beelsebob · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You're right... 96% share, with your closest competitor having 3% share is *really* similar to 20% share, with one competitor having 35% share.

  2. Easy way to fix this problem by JDG1980 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You know what the easiest way is to solve this problem? Completely separate the business of providing cell/wireless service from the business of providing the actual phones. If you want an iPhone, you buy it from Apple at whatever they are actually charging (none of this "subsidized" multi-year contract BS). Then you buy a service package for whatever carrier you want. Either month-to-month or long-term.

    Bundling the phone and service together has been horrible for consumers (we get locked-down devices loaded with crapware and stuck with terrible contracts) and now even the carriers don't like it? Enough.

  3. Re:Belgium does that by Stormwatch · · Score: 4, Insightful

    But really who needs Apple? There just isn't a killer app for iPhone now that isn't available on Android, and usually better on Android.

    People want the brand. It's like those Beats headphones: crazy expensive, subpar sound, "all my friends have those so I gotta have 'em too".

    --
    Circumcision is child abuse.
  4. So, you agree then. by pablo_max · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So that you are saying is that Apple should be sued by the EU? Gotcha.
    I mean after all, Apple actively prevents you from installing another main OS on its iProducts, does it not? Or, are you saying that this only applies to Windows and it is OK because it is Apple?