FCC moves forward with plan to make unlocking phones easier
When you buy a phone from a carrier on a plan, the carrier usually locks the phone to its network. This is to encourage users to use their services instead of running off to a different carrier. Carriers are legally required to unlock a phone once it’s been paid off, but a recent FCC proposal could make unlocking a locked phone a lot easier.
The FCC had recently put forward a new rule that would make unlocking a phone a lot friendlier for consumers. It was a consideration at that time, but it looks like the organization has decided to move forward with it.
If this new rule passes, carriers will all have to follow the same set of unlocking requirements. According to the FCC, they believe that a 60-day period is sufficient. They also believe that this new set of rules will improve competition in the market as it will make it easier for customers to switch carriers.
At the moment, different carriers have slightly different rules from each other. For example, T-Mobile only unlocks your phone once it’s been paid off. AT&T requires customers to inform them once installments are paid off and they want their phones unlocked. So far, only Verizon has a system in place that automatically unlocks a phone after 60 days.
This is a good change for consumers, although to be fair, there are third-party unlocking methods that work just as well. These methods are still valid for customers who might want to unlock their phones faster.