CF Apple Computer

Europe s largest telecommunications company, Deutsche Telekom, has successfully defeated an injunction ordering it not to tether the popular Apple iPhone device to its T-Mobile network in Germany. The Regional Court of Hamburg overturned the controversial injunction, which was brought on by a complaint from Vodafone Group, a UK-based competitor which operates wireless networks throughout Europe and around the world.

A court order late last month forced Deutsche Telekom to temporarily alter its marketing policy and offer the iPhone to subscribers using other networks, at a cost of €999. Vodafone s injunction did not prevent Deutsche Telekom from selling the iPhone for €399 with a contract. This ruling underscores the impact the iPhone has had on the market, commented Jupiter Research analyst, Michael Gartenberg, on the recent court battle.

In the past, you typically didn t see companies filing injunctions over other cell phones. The fact that Vodafone brought this suit to begin with is indicative of the fact that the iPhone has changed the game in many ways. There s no doubt that the iPhone has had a tremendous impact on the industry in 2007, Gartenberg concluded.

With Google s entry into the market, Nokia announcing its new music service and phones based on that service today, the stage is set for an interesting year in 2008 in the wireless industry.