Specifically, the iPhone 14 has been banned from sale in Colombia since its launch. This ban is the result of a lawsuit between Apple and the Swedish telecom company Ericsson regarding 5G network technology. However, recently, Apple announced it would release the iPhone 14 Plus in this South American country in October.
In an interview with Rest of World, Carlos Olarte, Ericsson’s lawyer in Colombia, said he was unaware of this announcement. “I suspect it’s a misunderstanding,” Olarte shared, emphasizing that the release of the iPhone 14 Plus is a direct violation of the ongoing ban.
In July, a judge issued a ruling banning the import of any 5G devices from the Apple brand after Ericsson filed a lawsuit claiming that Apple violated patents in Colombia and several other countries. According to Ericsson, the 5G devices Apple currently owns contain technology that should belong to the Swedish telecom company without any licensing.
The discount offered by Ericsson is $5 for each 5G iPhone sold; however, Apple has refused to pay. To date, Colombia is the only country to ban Apple’s 5G devices as a precaution until a final ruling from the court.
The Rest of World reached out to Apple, but the company declined to comment. Subsequently, Apple also proactively removed the mention of the release of the iPhone 14 Plus in Colombia on October 28 from its press release.
As a result of this lawsuit, users in Colombia have been unable to purchase any official iPhone 14 units since the product hit the shelves in mid-September. The only option is to buy imported iPhones on the black market, with price differences reaching up to $300 (approximately 7.2 million VND) for each device.
Returning to the lawsuit, Apple has filed an appeal hoping for a different ruling from the court to resume selling the iPhone 14 and to receive approval from Colombia’s telecommunications regulatory body.