Carriers fight plan to require unlocking of phones 60 days after activation.
T-Mobile and AT&T say US regulators should drop a plan to require unlocking of phones within 60 days of activation, claiming that locking phones to a carrier’s network makes it possible to provide cheaper handsets to consumers. “If the Commission mandates a uniform unlocking policy, it is consumers—not providers—who stand to lose the most,” T-Mobile alleged in an October 17 filing with the Federal Communications Commission.
The proposed rule has support from consumer advocacy groups who say it will give users more choice and lower their costs. T-Mobile has been criticized for locking phones for up to a year, which makes it impossible to use a phone on a rival’s network. T-Mobile claims that with a 60-day unlocking rule, “consumers risk losing access to the benefits of free or heavily subsidized handsets because the proposal would force providers to reduce the line-up of their most compelling handset offers.”
How about the government subsidizes the cost of the phone for needy customers rather than the reseller.
Are there any other industries where a product or service is subsidized by the reseller? What if, like dental insurance, there were a cell phone insurance company.
I mean, locking phones is stupid to begin with but if it’s for a small segment of people who want $0 / cheap AF phones, maybe there’s other options. I’m on ATT’s site and see a Moto Razr with a retail price of $1k and a payment plan of $6/month for 36 months ($216). The Ts & Cs to get there are lengthy and questionable. The whole industry needs more regulation for the protection of consumers - especially given how critical having a cell phone is in the 21st century.
I believe we already have this to some extent in the States via the SafeLink programs.
At the federal level: https://www.fcc.gov/general/lifeline-program-low-income-consumers
How about the telecoms STFU and let people use loans/credit cards if they need them. Using a phone plan to buy a phone costs dramatically more than just financing one through normal means and US phone plans are insanely expensive. I’m in Spain right now, my phone plan is 5€/mo and it has plenty of data.