Locked vs. Unlocked: Opening Up Choice

Locked vs. Unlocked: Opening Up Choice
[SOURCE: New York Times, AUTHOR: Cyrus Farivar]
Most phones sold in the United States are locked into the carrier that sold them. Nearly all mobile phone providers discount the price of the handset in exchange for a fixed contract. But even some phones sold at full price without contracts remain locked. But that has not stopped many from unlocking phones, either with the permission of the carrier or, as is more commonly the case, without it. More and more Americans are becoming aware of the issues surrounding locked phones in general. Though there are questions about the legality of the practice, more carriers are offering customers the option, even though it means a customer can use that phone with another carrier.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/01/technology/personaltech/01basics.html?...
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