You might recall that Wind Mobile started selling lightly loved iPhones to their subscribers. Basically it was a way for them to get around the fact that they didn’t have access to selling new iPhones. At the time, I said this:
I’d keep an eye on this as I can see this going in one of three ways:
- This will get Apple’s attention and they will tell Wind to stop doing this.
- This will get Apple’s attention and it will spur Apple to allow Wind to sell new iPhones.
- Apple will not care.
It seems that the correct answer was “This will get Apple’s attention and they will tell Wind to stop doing this.” Sort of. It seems that Apple has called up computer distributor Ingram Micro who was supplying Wind Mobile with their iPhones and asked them to stop doing this:
Three industry sources say Apple and Ingram exchanged correspondence in late July, with Apple Inc.’s Canadian subsidiary demanding that Ingram stop selling used iPhones in Canada, arguing that it was a breach of Ingram’s contract with Apple.
Ingram distributes iPads and Apple accessories on behalf of Apple in Canada and does business with the Cupertino, Calif.-based company worldwide.
Ingram’s interpretation of the contract was that the distribution of used iPhones was not a breach and it expressed concern about cutting off Wind’s supply of the device, but ultimately said it wanted to co-operate with Apple, the sources said. Reached for comment on Tuesday, a spokesperson for Ingram did not respond before publication deadline.
Lovely. And it seems one of the “big three” telcos was behind this move by Apple:
Apple’s decision to demand that Ingram stop selling used iPhones to Wind could have been prompted by a request from BCE Inc.’s Bell Mobility, according to the sources. Bell was said to be upset about Wind being able to access the Apple product and planned to ask Apple Canada to shut the supply down, the sources said. (BCE owns 15 per cent of The Globe and Mail.) Ingram also supplies Bell Mobility with “peripherals” such as cases and chargers.
My take? Apple really should spend more time closing the security holes in their products rather than trying to stop people from buying used iPhones from a carrier that they don’t do business yet. Better yet. Why don’t they cut a deal with Wind Mobile to sell new iPhones? That would be better for all parties. Right now, Apple looks like a bully who needs to be smacked back into reality.
As for Bell. I guess they’re afraid to compete. In other news, the sky is blue and the sun rises and sets. In other words, business as usual for Bell.
Apple Steps In To Try And Stop Wind Mobile From Selling “Lightly Loved” iPhones
Posted in Commentary with tags Apple, Canada, Wind Mobile on August 4, 2015 by itnerdYou might recall that Wind Mobile started selling lightly loved iPhones to their subscribers. Basically it was a way for them to get around the fact that they didn’t have access to selling new iPhones. At the time, I said this:
I’d keep an eye on this as I can see this going in one of three ways:
It seems that the correct answer was “This will get Apple’s attention and they will tell Wind to stop doing this.” Sort of. It seems that Apple has called up computer distributor Ingram Micro who was supplying Wind Mobile with their iPhones and asked them to stop doing this:
Three industry sources say Apple and Ingram exchanged correspondence in late July, with Apple Inc.’s Canadian subsidiary demanding that Ingram stop selling used iPhones in Canada, arguing that it was a breach of Ingram’s contract with Apple.
Ingram distributes iPads and Apple accessories on behalf of Apple in Canada and does business with the Cupertino, Calif.-based company worldwide.
Ingram’s interpretation of the contract was that the distribution of used iPhones was not a breach and it expressed concern about cutting off Wind’s supply of the device, but ultimately said it wanted to co-operate with Apple, the sources said. Reached for comment on Tuesday, a spokesperson for Ingram did not respond before publication deadline.
Lovely. And it seems one of the “big three” telcos was behind this move by Apple:
Apple’s decision to demand that Ingram stop selling used iPhones to Wind could have been prompted by a request from BCE Inc.’s Bell Mobility, according to the sources. Bell was said to be upset about Wind being able to access the Apple product and planned to ask Apple Canada to shut the supply down, the sources said. (BCE owns 15 per cent of The Globe and Mail.) Ingram also supplies Bell Mobility with “peripherals” such as cases and chargers.
My take? Apple really should spend more time closing the security holes in their products rather than trying to stop people from buying used iPhones from a carrier that they don’t do business yet. Better yet. Why don’t they cut a deal with Wind Mobile to sell new iPhones? That would be better for all parties. Right now, Apple looks like a bully who needs to be smacked back into reality.
As for Bell. I guess they’re afraid to compete. In other news, the sky is blue and the sun rises and sets. In other words, business as usual for Bell.
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