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FCC proposes ending cellphone carrier locks after 60 days (www.theregister.com)

submitted 4 months ago by ForgottenFlux@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world

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Long-term carrier lock-in could soon be a thing of the past in America after the FCC proposed requiring telcos to unlock cellphones from their networks 60 days after activation.

FCC boss Jessica Rosenworcel put out that proposal on Thursday, saying it would encourage competition between carriers. If subscribers could simply walk off to another telco with their handsets after two months of use, networks would have to do a lot more competing, the FCC reasons.

"When you buy a phone, you should have the freedom to decide when to change service to the carrier you want and not have the device you own stuck by practices that prevent you from making that choice," Rosenworcel said.

Carrier-locked devices contain software mechanisms that prevent them from being used on other providers' networks. The practice has long been criticized for being anti-consumer.

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[–] ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 4 months ago

I'm very good with electronics (repairs and care). I'm on an unlocked Note 20 ultra I bought used in early 2021 and it's still in flawless condition. Not parting with it anytime soon and already replaced the battery in it so it would keep going.

Issue with things like mint or rocket is that you get bumped down in priority as soon as towers get a bit congested. I'm paying more, but I like having unlimited data and 40 or 50 GB of hotspot a month.