Re: U.S. Carriers, You'll Have to Unlock Those Phones
This was definitely a long time coming, and I'm glad it's happened. For me at least, I think I still will continue to purchase unlocked devices out of the box, they cost a bit more but well worth it. Original message: Hello All, I am delighted to post the following cNet News article for your consideration. The URL to the original article is at the bottom of the text. Mark U.S. carriers, you'll have to unlock those phones Starting now, it will be much easier for people to jump from one carrier to another and take their smartphone with them. by Don Reisinger The days of carriers locking down devices to keep customers in place are officially dead. Starting now, all US carriers must comply with requests from postpaid and prepaid customers to unlock their devices, as long as certain parameters are met. The industry group CTIA had committed last year to have all wireless carriers adhering to the regulation by February 11, 2015. The move follows from President Obama last year signing into law the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act, which overruled a controversial 2012 decision by the Library of Congress. The debate over phone unlocking has come a long way in just a few short years. Unlocking a phone allows owners to put the device on whatever carrier network they choose. For years, carriers have locked down devices, allowing them only to connect to their own networks. The move was designed to keep customers close and not see them stray to other carriers. We are pleased the FCC acknowledged the participating wireless carriers met the deadlines to unlock their customers' devices per the Consumer Code for Wireless Service, said Scott Bergmann, the CTIA's vice president for regulatory affairs, in a statement. We also remind consumers that an unlocked device does not necessarily mean an interoperable one since different carriers use different technologies and spectrum bands. For customers, the inability to unlock handsets had been a nuisance. Many consumers, seeking better network coverage or data plan pricing, have wanted to be able to move to a different network without having to buy a new device. An unlocked handset would allow that interchange between, say, ATT and T-Mobile networks. Locked devices force customers to stick with their carrier networks and if they decide to switch, to buy a new device on the other carrier. In 2013, the issue of unlocking hitting a tipping point when the Libary of Congress held that the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) banned American consumers from unlocking their devices without the consent of their carriers. Critics took issue with the ruling, which actually came down in 2012 but went into effect in 2013. Then in August 2014 came the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act, which effectively made unlocking legal again. Under the CTIA's Consumer Code for Wireless Service that went into effect Wednesday, carriers will have no choice but to remove locks on devices owned by both postpaid and prepaid wireless users. On the postpaid side, carriers must unlock devices after a customer in good standing has fulfilled postpaid service contract, device financing plan, or payment of applicable early termination fee. In other words, those subscribers who get smartphones for less by paying a subsidy at the beginning and paying in full over the life of a contract, must have satisfied that payment covenant before they can be allowed to unlock their device. On the prepaid side, things are bit simpler: carriers must, upon request, unlock a handset no later than one year after initial activation. All unlocking, regardless of the type of customer, must be completed within two days of a request, and carriers are now required to inform consumers of their policies. Carriers that lock devices will clearly notify customers that their devices are eligible for unlocking at the time when their devices are eligible for unlocking or automatically unlock devices remotely when devices are eligible for unlocking, without additional fee, the code reads. Carriers reserve the right to charge non-customers/non-former-customers with a reasonable fee for unlocking requests. Notice to prepaid customers may occur at point of sale, at the time of eligibility, or through a clear and concise statement of policy on the carrier's website. http://www.cnet.com/news/new-regulation-requires-us-carriers-to-unlock-user- phones/?tag=nl.e703s_cid=e703ttag=e703ftag=CAD090e536 -- The following information is important for all members of the viphone list. All new members to the this list are moderated by default. If you have any questions or concerns about the running of this list, or if you feel that a member's post is inappropriate, please contact the owners or moderators directly rather than posting on the list itself. The archives for this list can be searched at http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/.
Re: U.S. Carriers, You'll Have to Unlock Those Phones
i have a question. I have Verizon, but it's one that has a SIM card but I thought all Verizon was TDMA. I am a little uncertain as to which carriers might actually work. For instance, someone told me Straight Talk offered more data thhan Verizon for the same price, but i wonder would this work or TMobile or something. i very much like Verizon's coverage, but the data is a bit expensive, and there is no unlimited for prepaid. I did not buy this phone from Verizon but used, and it was already out of contract or had been paid off. Can anoyone recommend a data plan and carrier that might work with this phone. i called Verizon about the unlocking a couple of weeks ago, but I did not realize it had not yet gone into effect, and i was very rudely told never would my phone be unlockable, it was Verizon, and that was that. I mentioned the new unlocking phone law, and i was informed they did not have to abide by it. i am glad to know that agent was obviously lying. Eden On 2/13/2015 7:17 AM, Mike Arrigo wrote: This was definitely a long time coming, and I'm glad it's happened. For me at least, I think I still will continue to purchase unlocked devices out of the box, they cost a bit more but well worth it. Original message: Hello All, I am delighted to post the following cNet News article for your consideration. The URL to the original article is at the bottom of the text. Mark U.S. carriers, you'll have to unlock those phones Starting now, it will be much easier for people to jump from one carrier to another and take their smartphone with them. by Don Reisinger The days of carriers locking down devices to keep customers in place are officially dead. Starting now, all US carriers must comply with requests from postpaid and prepaid customers to unlock their devices, as long as certain parameters are met. The industry group CTIA had committed last year to have all wireless carriers adhering to the regulation by February 11, 2015. The move follows from President Obama last year signing into law the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act, which overruled a controversial 2012 decision by the Library of Congress. The debate over phone unlocking has come a long way in just a few short years. Unlocking a phone allows owners to put the device on whatever carrier network they choose. For years, carriers have locked down devices, allowing them only to connect to their own networks. The move was designed to keep customers close and not see them stray to other carriers. We are pleased the FCC acknowledged the participating wireless carriers met the deadlines to unlock their customers' devices per the Consumer Code for Wireless Service, said Scott Bergmann, the CTIA's vice president for regulatory affairs, in a statement. We also remind consumers that an unlocked device does not necessarily mean an interoperable one since different carriers use different technologies and spectrum bands. For customers, the inability to unlock handsets had been a nuisance. Many consumers, seeking better network coverage or data plan pricing, have wanted to be able to move to a different network without having to buy a new device. An unlocked handset would allow that interchange between, say, ATT and T-Mobile networks. Locked devices force customers to stick with their carrier networks and if they decide to switch, to buy a new device on the other carrier. In 2013, the issue of unlocking hitting a tipping point when the Libary of Congress held that the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) banned American consumers from unlocking their devices without the consent of their carriers. Critics took issue with the ruling, which actually came down in 2012 but went into effect in 2013. Then in August 2014 came the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act, which effectively made unlocking legal again. Under the CTIA's Consumer Code for Wireless Service that went into effect Wednesday, carriers will have no choice but to remove locks on devices owned by both postpaid and prepaid wireless users. On the postpaid side, carriers must unlock devices after a customer in good standing has fulfilled postpaid service contract, device financing plan, or payment of applicable early termination fee. In other words, those subscribers who get smartphones for less by paying a subsidy at the beginning and paying in full over the life of a contract, must have satisfied that payment covenant before they can be allowed to unlock their device. On the prepaid side, things are bit simpler: carriers must, upon request, unlock a handset no later than one year after initial activation. All unlocking, regardless of the type of customer, must be completed within two days of a request, and carriers are now required to inform consumers of their policies. Carriers that lock devices will clearly notify customers that their devices are eligible
RE: U.S. Carriers, You'll Have to Unlock Those Phones
I am glad this subject has been settled. I travel overseas quite frequently. Having an unlocked phone enables me to use SIM cards for local numbers in the countries I visit, instead of having to pay exorbitant international roaming prices for using my American phone number overseas. I was very disappointed when the library of congress decision came out in 2013. I thought it was truly illogical and inadequate, since my carrier did not invent the iOS system I have on my iPhone and saw no digital copyrights to be protected. To me it was only a bias decision to consolidate the big corporation's rights of monopoly, and screw up the consumers. Cheers, Cris -Original Message- From: viphone@googlegroups.com [mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Mike Arrigo Sent: Friday, February 13, 2015 10:18 AM To: viphone@googlegroups.com Subject: Re: U.S. Carriers, You'll Have to Unlock Those Phones This was definitely a long time coming, and I'm glad it's happened. For me at least, I think I still will continue to purchase unlocked devices out of the box, they cost a bit more but well worth it. Original message: Hello All, I am delighted to post the following cNet News article for your consideration. The URL to the original article is at the bottom of the text. Mark U.S. carriers, you'll have to unlock those phones Starting now, it will be much easier for people to jump from one carrier to another and take their smartphone with them. by Don Reisinger The days of carriers locking down devices to keep customers in place are officially dead. Starting now, all US carriers must comply with requests from postpaid and prepaid customers to unlock their devices, as long as certain parameters are met. The industry group CTIA had committed last year to have all wireless carriers adhering to the regulation by February 11, 2015. The move follows from President Obama last year signing into law the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act, which overruled a controversial 2012 decision by the Library of Congress. The debate over phone unlocking has come a long way in just a few short years. Unlocking a phone allows owners to put the device on whatever carrier network they choose. For years, carriers have locked down devices, allowing them only to connect to their own networks. The move was designed to keep customers close and not see them stray to other carriers. We are pleased the FCC acknowledged the participating wireless carriers met the deadlines to unlock their customers' devices per the Consumer Code for Wireless Service, said Scott Bergmann, the CTIA's vice president for regulatory affairs, in a statement. We also remind consumers that an unlocked device does not necessarily mean an interoperable one since different carriers use different technologies and spectrum bands. For customers, the inability to unlock handsets had been a nuisance. Many consumers, seeking better network coverage or data plan pricing, have wanted to be able to move to a different network without having to buy a new device. An unlocked handset would allow that interchange between, say, ATT and T-Mobile networks. Locked devices force customers to stick with their carrier networks and if they decide to switch, to buy a new device on the other carrier. In 2013, the issue of unlocking hitting a tipping point when the Libary of Congress held that the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) banned American consumers from unlocking their devices without the consent of their carriers. Critics took issue with the ruling, which actually came down in 2012 but went into effect in 2013. Then in August 2014 came the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act, which effectively made unlocking legal again. Under the CTIA's Consumer Code for Wireless Service that went into effect Wednesday, carriers will have no choice but to remove locks on devices owned by both postpaid and prepaid wireless users. On the postpaid side, carriers must unlock devices after a customer in good standing has fulfilled postpaid service contract, device financing plan, or payment of applicable early termination fee. In other words, those subscribers who get smartphones for less by paying a subsidy at the beginning and paying in full over the life of a contract, must have satisfied that payment covenant before they can be allowed to unlock their device. On the prepaid side, things are bit simpler: carriers must, upon request, unlock a handset no later than one year after initial activation. All unlocking, regardless of the type of customer, must be completed within two days of a request, and carriers are now required to inform consumers of their policies. Carriers that lock devices will clearly notify customers that their devices are eligible for unlocking at the time when their devices are eligible for unlocking
