The doors must to be blown off the locked phone and the collusion in the marketplace between the device manufacturer and service provider to limit competition and consumer choice. These rulings are a first step. It is not completely satisfactory but is is a start, a baby step if you will, toward giving consumers choice and freedom. It may also take disruptive technologies in addition to political and market pressures to bring about greater freedoms but this development certainly is welcome.

Richard Prince, Saint Paul, US, Minnesota

It's common practice everywhere for operators to sell phones much cheaper when they are bundled with a contract. The longer and more expensive the contract the cheaper the handset. Are German and French operators forced to offer every handset they supply at a non-contract price?

Nigel, Auckland, NZ

It evidently is a setback for Apple. Presumbly Vodafone do not have to pay Apple as much money as 02 for subsriptions, therefore Apple are going to lose money from it! Furthermore, given the fact that Vodafone aren't having to pay such a high percentage as O2, they are more likely to sell it cheaper, meaning even less sales for 02 and apple.

Tim, Norwich,

I do not believe this is a setback for the model. This is nothing new and has been practice before. Consumrs have a choice whether to buy the phone or not. It comes as a package like "bundling". Anyway, now that T Mobile has changed its terms to comply with the Court ruling, and offer a "phone only" alternative, consumers still have the choice. But can the Court force T Mobile to charge the same price for the phone with and without contract? I doubt. Sounds to me like Vodafone shot themselves in the foot.

Robert, Short Hills, NJ, USA

Just shows you how OFCOM let the telecom companies do what they want while the rest of Europe have laws and regulation for the consumer.

Paul Davis, York, uk

This is not a blow for Apple and T-Mobile. It is an end-run around Vodafone's "victory". Who in their right mind would pay a thousand euros for something they can get for four hundred? Vodafone have won the battle but lost the war. Sour grapes only get you so far!

Stephen, London,