in Germany Apple's iPhone should actually only be available at Deutsche Telekom - uand actually it should only be available if you sign a two year iPhone-contract with the doughter of Telekom 'T-Mobile'.

Fortunately nowadays we have a quite 'free' Europe and a free market economy - and that brings us to a number of alternatives to this exklusive T-Mobile-contract..

The first alternative came up when a court decided that T-Mobile's exclusive contract might not go so well with the idea of a free market - and made them sell the iPhone alone - without that contract - for 'just' €999,- - a price tag, that reminds me of a symbolic fine rather than a real price..

Another alternative seems to be available in France: France Telekom's doughter Orange offers unlocked iPhones for 'just' €649,- plus a fee of €100,- for actually unlocking the device - that's €749,- -- quite exactly €250,- below the price you'd have to pay for a freePhone in Germany..

iPhone-shopping at Orange in France - picture from mac4ever.com

Now we'll also have a closer look at the special offer Debitel is currently offering: if you choose to sign a two year iPhone-contract with Debitel they will 'give' you a €600,- credit-note / sign-up-bonus - which after my calculations would then again reduce the price you'd have to pay to only €149,- - in words: onehundretfourtynine Eurodollars!!!

..well then - bon voyage! t..

PS1: here the article at engadget.com about the french iPhone:
• Orange to sell unlocked iPhone for €649,- + €100,- unlocking fee
• Debitel offering €600,- sign-up-bonus for .. iPhone in Germany

PS2: well yes: I do have to admit that the device shown in the picture above is actually no an iPhone - but an iPod Touch - and it's not even mine - but at least I did take the picture myself.. - ..followed by some five hour retouching session..:]

PS3: please feel fre to correct me if you think I'm wrong about the €149,-..:]