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1492's avatar
1492
Moderator
Jul 26, 2014

You'll Soon Be Able To UNLOCK Your Mobile Phone Legally!

During its latest review of exemptions, most notably the DMCA provision prohibiting circumvention of software, the U.S. Copyright Office declined to allow consumers to unlock their used mobile phones. Unlocking allows a mobile phone from one carrier to work on another using the same type of mobile network. Currently, only the mobile operators themselves were legally able to unlock their own phones. Unless, certain conditions were met and they failed to respond to a consumer request within a specified period of time. But, could involve months of waiting.

The new bill "Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act" is expected to pass and enacted into law, but will only allow the exception until the next review of copyright exemption in 2015. However, the U.S. Copyright Office is not expected to over turn consumer unlocking.

See Verge article Unlocking phones in the US will soon be legal.

8 Replies

  • 1492's avatar
    1492
    Moderator
    Jul 26, 2014
    docj wrote:

    With all due respect, for the 4G GSM phone that I unlocked there was nothing to do other than insert the SIM from the new carrier. That instantly gave me voice service and SMS texting.

    Ditto. Now look into unlocking a smartphone from Sprint to Verizon on CDMA? Not simply setting an unlock code, or switching carrier SIM cards. Yes, newer CDMA smartphones now can also have carrier SIMs. It all depends on the phone and mobile service provider you're switching to.
  • Fastfwd75's avatar
    Fastfwd75
    Explorer
    Jul 26, 2014
    Depends on the firmware. Back when I was working for Nokia I had a factory E71 which came unlocked and would work with any sim and any network.
    AT&T at that time began selling the E71x which was basically the same phone but with locks on many things such has uploading ringtones and using with another network. Same hardware, different firmware.
    Carriers are NOT your friend. I wonder why Apple and Google are not in the carrier business to bypass the evil middleman.
  • docj's avatar
    docj
    Explorer
    Jul 26, 2014
    1492 wrote:


    In general, unlocking doesn't just involve using special codes. You need to set different configuration parameters, including a list of preferred networks to connect if going to another mobile provider. Such as porting from Sprint to Verizon. It generally involves using specialized technician software to program the phone, and not user friendly for the average owner. Most will opt to use a service.


    With all due respect, for the 4G GSM phone that I unlocked there was nothing to do other than insert the SIM from the new carrier. That instantly gave me voice service and SMS texting. To use the minimal internet browser built into the phone I did have to enter carrier-specific access point information and create a new internet profile for the phone, neither of which was all that difficult after the carrier's support staff told me where to find the information.
  • 1492's avatar
    1492
    Moderator
    Jul 26, 2014
    This law allows the consumer to unlock their own mobile phone, without going to their service provider. Currently, you need to meet the conditions of the mobile operator, and can involve a wait of up to 60 days in some cases for them to do so.

    In general, unlocking doesn't just involve using special codes. You need to set different configuration parameters, including a list of preferred networks to connect if going to another mobile provider. Such as porting from Sprint to Verizon. It generally involves using specialized technician software to program the phone, and not user friendly for the average owner. Most will opt to use a service.
  • christopherglen's avatar
    christopherglen
    Explorer
    Jul 26, 2014
    Most carriers will unlock phones once the contract is ended. All that does is require them to do so.
  • docj's avatar
    docj
    Explorer
    Jul 26, 2014
    I had a prepaid GSM phone from a Canadian carrier that I wanted to use on a different network. I used an online service and paid <$10 to get the unlock code (which did work). The phone wasn't under contract so the legality of doing so wasn't a question.
  • 1492's avatar
    1492
    Moderator
    Jul 26, 2014
    You can buy unlocked phones legally now, but pay full price as they are not subsidized.
  • Fastfwd75's avatar
    Fastfwd75
    Explorer
    Jul 26, 2014
    Or you can already buy your phone direct from Appled. Then get a rebate each month because you are not paying the hidden cost of financing the phone. Probably that there are Androids out there you can buy upfront and unlocked too.

    Side benefit is that an unlocked phone will work while travelling with a local sim card. Using Rogers at home in Canada and got an AT&T sim card for the 2 month trip here.

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