Starting Today, It's Illegal to Unlock Your Cellphone

[Jenky]

You likely have a cellphone that you bought from a carrier, like AT&T, Verizon or Sprint, and that phone only works on that carrier's cellular and data network -- unless you "unlock" it.

That is a software process that allows the phone to work on other carriers if you put in a new SIM card or want to take the phone to another carrier for service.

If that sounds complicated to you and like something you wouldn't bother with, then today's news won't matter to you. But if that's something you've done before or have thought about doing, then you should know that starting today it is illegal to unlock a subsidized phone or tablet that's bought through a U.S. carrier.

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/now...ry?id=18319518


White House Petition:
http://wh.gov/yA9n

[Cajuncowboy]

Originally Posted by Jenky

You likely have a cellphone that you bought from a carrier, like AT&T, Verizon or Sprint, and that phone only works on that carrier's cellular and data network -- unless you "unlock" it.

That is a software process that allows the phone to work on other carriers if you put in a new SIM card or want to take the phone to another carrier for service.

If that sounds complicated to you and like something you wouldn't bother with, then today's news won't matter to you. But if that's something you've done before or have thought about doing, then you should know that starting today it is illegal to unlock a subsidized phone or tablet that's bought through a U.S. carrier.

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/now...ry?id=18319518


White House Petition:
[View Full Quote]http://wh.gov/yA9n

These petitions are laughed at. They don't care what "We The People" are petitioning about anyway.

[chip_gilkey]

Originally Posted by Cajuncowboy

These petitions are laughed at. They don't care what "We The People" are petitioning about anyway.

The only time I can remember the people's voice being listened to is during the Stop SOPA and PIPA campaigns. Boy did the politicians pull that one back in a hurry after the backlash from the public came out.

[Doomsday]

Just one more example of a ruling that ignores the law and logic, while protecting a corporations financial interests.

That is like saying if I buy a Windows PC, I cannot put linux on it. Makes no sense.

Who owns the phone, the wireless provider or us? The discount you get on the phone is paid for through the service agreement, this is total BS to me.

[rkell87]

Originally Posted by chip_gilkey

The only time I can remember the people's voice being listened to is during the Stop SOPA and PIPA campaigns. Boy did the politicians pull that one back in a hurry after the backlash from the public came out.

doesn't matter, they keep slipping parts of it in other bills till they get what they want

[Illini88228]

Originally Posted by Cajuncowboy

These petitions are laughed at. They don't care what "We The People" are petitioning about anyway.

In their defense, most of the petitions are pretty stupid.

[TheKey]

Originally Posted by Illini88228

In their defense, most of the petitions are pretty stupid.

In light of the recent news that the carriers WILL unlock your phone after your contract is up OR if you pay the early termination fee, I actually agree with this ruling. When you bought the cheap phone, you paid only a fraction of the cost. The carrier subsidized the majority of the cost on the condition that you stay with their service. You want them to help pay for your phone and to let you go use it on another carrier? It doesn't make sense for them.

To be clear, it is not illegal to unlock your phone. It is illegal to unlock your phone if you are under contract, which you signed.

[Manwiththeplan]

Not only that, but people that steal phones and attempt to activate them without getting caught do this I believe. I'm not sure how they attempt enforce this, but it seems like it's a good idea.

[Vtwin]

Originally Posted by TheKey

In light of the recent news that the carriers WILL unlock your phone after your contract is up OR if you pay the early termination fee, I actually agree with this ruling. When you bought the cheap phone, you paid only a fraction of the cost. The carrier subsidized the majority of the cost on the condition that you stay with their service. You want them to help pay for your phone and to let you go use it on another carrier? It doesn't make sense for them.

To be clear, it is not illegal to unlock your phone. It is illegal to unlock your phone if you are under contract, which you signed.

Aren't you still bound by the contract? Unlocked or not you are still either paying the monthly bill or have payed the ETF.

[BrAinPaiNt]

Let's leave the political talkout of the conversation .

[Hoofbite]

Originally Posted by TheKey

In light of the recent news that the carriers WILL unlock your phone after your contract is up OR if you pay the early termination fee, I actually agree with this ruling. When you bought the cheap phone, you paid only a fraction of the cost. The carrier subsidized the majority of the cost on the condition that you stay with their service. You want them to help pay for your phone and to let you go use it on another carrier? It doesn't make sense for them.

To be clear, it is not illegal to unlock your phone. It is illegal to unlock your phone if you are under contract, which you signed.

Well this pretty much makes all the difference.

To say you can't unlock a phone at all is ridiculous. Should they say that you can't do it will under contract, that's well within reason. I'm not sure a law was needed for it because it was likely already written into the contract but it is what it is.

[Muhast]

I'm pretty sure you can call and request an unlock code from your service provider and they have to give it to you.

It is illegal to "jailbreak"/"unlock" it on your own, but you can request an unlock code for your device through your cell provider and they will give you one as long as you fit one of the following: 1. Contract is over or about to expire. 2. You tell them you are planning to buy out/terminate early, 3. You travel abroad and need it to be unlocked for use of the other cell towers.

So 3 is the easiest way. Not that you actually have to travel or anything, just tell them you are planning to and you need the code. T-Mobile is really easy about this, they were openly campaigning for people to bring unlocked phones and get their contracts, so they will give it out with very little resistance.

The easiest way is to just call and ask for it. ATT is the hardest to get the code from, but from my experience, Sprint/Verizon/T-Mobile aren't too difficult to get the code assuming you just call and tell them what's going on, your fine.

Fwiw.

[theogt]

Originally Posted by TheKey

In light of the recent news that the carriers WILL unlock your phone after your contract is up OR if you pay the early termination fee, I actually agree with this ruling. When you bought the cheap phone, you paid only a fraction of the cost. The carrier subsidized the majority of the cost on the condition that you stay with their service. You want them to help pay for your phone and to let you go use it on another carrier? It doesn't make sense for them.

To be clear, it is not illegal to unlock your phone. It is illegal to unlock your phone if you are under contract, which you signed.

Originally Posted by Hoofbite

Well this pretty much makes all the difference.

To say you can't unlock a phone at all is ridiculous. Should they say that you can't do it will under contract, that's well within reason. I'm not sure a law was needed for it because it was likely already written into the contract but it is what it is.

Right, this is what makes this decision a proper one. It's also only illegal if you're under contract and your carrier prevents you from unlocking. Your carrier can certainly allow unlocking if they so choose -- and some do.

The key issue here is that you don't own the operating system on your phone. You own a license to use that operating system. And the manufacturer can place restrictions on your license. If you don't like it, don't buy (or license) their products.

[TheKey]

Originally Posted by Muhast

I'm pretty sure you can call and request an unlock code from your service provider and they have to give it to you.

It is illegal to "jailbreak"/"unlock" it on your own, but you can request an unlock code for your device through your cell provider and they will give you one as long as you fit one of the following: 1. Contract is over or about to expire. 2. You tell them you are planning to buy out/terminate early, 3. You travel abroad and need it to be unlocked for use of the other cell towers.

So 3 is the easiest way. Not that you actually have to travel or anything, just tell them you are planning to and you need the code. T-Mobile is really easy about this, they were openly campaigning for people to bring unlocked phones and get their contracts, so they will give it out with very little resistance.

[View Full Quote]The easiest way is to just call and ask for it. ATT is the hardest to get the code from, but from my experience, Sprint/Verizon/T-Mobile aren't too difficult to get the code assuming you just call and tell them what's going on, your fine.

Fwiw.

I don't think number 3 is possible. Maybe the other carriers but I didnt have luck when I tried ATT.

In Europe phone companies cannot forbid you from unlocking your phone at any time and moving to a new carrier. However, it comes with a price. They pay full price for their phones (iPhone around Euro 800, so actually a 20% bump as well).

[Muhast]

Originally Posted by TheKey

I don't think number 3 is possible. Maybe the other carriers but I didnt have luck when I tried ATT.

In Europe phone companies cannot forbid you from unlocking your phone at any time and moving to a new carrier. However, it comes with a price. They pay full price for their phones (iPhone around Euro 800, so actually a 20% bump as well).

I have never tried ATT. I know people online complain about it a lot.

T-Mo is very easy. Barely put up any fight at all. I don't think the others are two tough either.