Back in June, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed new rules that would require carriers to unlock iPhone or Android smartphones within 60 days of activation.
The two largest U.S. carriers, AT&T and T-Mobile, are currently opposing this, arguing that it is consumers who will suffer if forced to comply…
FCC proposal to force carriers to unlock iPhones
Some people prefer to buy their iPhone directly from Apple and pay for the purchase in full, while others buy their phone from a carrier or other provider on a so-called subsidized contract.
This results in a lower upfront cost, but the remainder of the cost of the device is repaid over a minimum contract term (usually two years).
Your carrier locks your phone to their network, so you can’t switch to another provider within the contract period, but usually please don’t When that period ends, your device will be automatically unlocked.
Even if it were required to do so, there are no rules on how long it would take, and the FCC wants to change that by requiring it to be completed within 60 days.
This rule already applies to Verizon due to special requirements that apply to the frequencies Verizon uses.
Carriers claim this will harm consumers
The FCC’s goal is to benefit consumers, and the proposal has been welcomed by consumer advocacy groups, who say freeing them from carrier lock-in will make it easier to find the best plan. .
But AT&T and T-Mobile each reportedly argue that it will ultimately cost more. Wired.
T-Mobile and AT&T say U.S. regulators can provide consumers with cheaper devices by locking their phones to carrier networks, allowing them to unlock their phones within 60 days of activation. insists that the plan to make it mandatory should be scrapped […]
T-Mobile said that due to the 60-day unlock rule, “this proposal would cause providers to reduce their lineup of the most attractive devices, so consumers would not be able to benefit from free or heavily subsidized devices.” There is a risk that you will not be able to access it.” […]
AT&T filed similar complaints as T-Mobile, saying in an Oct. 7 filing that the FCC’s proposed rules would “reduce cell phone prices for consumers, especially those in low-income households.”
Consumer groups are unanimous in their opposition.
The Oct. 18 filing supporting strict unlocking rules was joined by numerous consumer advocacy groups, including Public Knowledge, New America’s Open Technology Institute, Consumer Reports, National Consumers League, National Consumer Law Center, and National Digital Inclusion Alliance. Submitted by.
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