Verizon customers face longer phone-lock periods as FCC ends 60-day unlock requirement

Ars Technica
Ars Technica
2h ago
The FCC granted Verizon a waiver ending the requirement to automatically unlock phones 60 days after activation, making it harder for customers to switch carriers.
Verizon customers face longer phone-lock periods as FCC ends 60-day unlock requirement
A What happened
The FCC granted Verizon a waiver eliminating the requirement to unlock handsets 60 days after activation on Verizon’s network. Verizon will instead follow the CTIA trade group’s voluntary unlocking policy, which generally requires unlocking upon consumer request and sets different timelines for prepaid and postpaid devices. The FCC said the waiver will remain in effect until it decides on an industry-wide approach and rejected a request to cap the lock period at 180 days. A Kansas resident, Patrick Roach, previously sued Verizon over an iPhone unlock dispute and won in small claims court.
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Key insights

  • 1

    Waiver shifts Verizon from automatic unlocking to CTIA’s request-based standard: The FCC waiver ends Verizon’s automatic 60-day unlocking requirement and leaves Verizon subject to the CTIA code, which requires unlocking upon consumer request and sets longer timelines for prepaid devices.

  • 2

    FCC tied the waiver to fraud and public-safety concerns: The FCC said the 60-day rule incentivized theft and fraud, and it cited law enforcement comments that the policy diverted resources toward investigating stolen handsets.

  • 3

    Consumer and industry groups disputed the competitive impact: Consumer groups said automatic unlocking reduces switching costs and supports resale and reuse, while NCTA said the decision delays pro-consumer benefits and called for a uniform framework with a 180-day requirement.

Takeaways

Verizon will no longer be required to automatically unlock phones 60 days after activation while the FCC waiver remains in effect and the company follows the CTIA voluntary unlocking policy.

Topics

World & Politics Policy & Regulation Law & Public Safety Public Safety

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