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

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.'"

Comments

Apple is not a monopoly

[Pecisk]

Carriers aren't forced to offer Apple. In fact, in Europe you aren't really obliged to do anything about Apple - you can succeed (as mobile provider) other ways. Of course, it is much harded than hoping all kool-aid drinking Apple fanboi masses come to you and you only (if serously, Apple is playing with fire here - my pick huge number of their sales in Europe comes from carriers, because no hipster or "cool kid" can afford retail price of Apple).

So, unless Apple has near 90% monopoly in smartphone market (hint: it doesn't, especially in Europe), those carriers will have to taste their own medicine - after all, Apple imposes similar tactics as mobile providers/ISP themselves imposes to us - with huge fees for early termination, etc.