Major Wireless Carriers’ Commitment is Only the First Step for Real Device Unlocking

We're glad that the Federal Communications Commission has found that the carriers have met the one-year deadline set for compliance with this commitment, and that unlocking should be that much easier for consumers. However, there are some limitations to this agreement that don’t necessarily solve the problems for all wireless consumers.

Furthermore, this does not eliminate the problems of lock-in or potential liability. The original source of concern -- the law that can make it illegal for consumers to unlock their own phones -- is still in effect. While Congress ensured that consumers would not be breaking the law when they unlocked their own phones in the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act, that law is only effective for a short period of time. Consumer groups, competitive carriers, and electronics recyclers asked the Copyright Office to preserve consumers' unlocking rights for the next three years. We look forward to ensuring that this happens, but also hope that Congress might ensure that such a change can be made permanently, and settle the matter once and for all.