The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must enact a proposed rule mandating telecom service providers to unlock the phones of customers within 60 days of activation, according to multiple advocacy groups.
In response, major telecom companies filed comments opposing the new rule.
The FCC rule, proposed in July, allows people more flexibility to switch service providers. On Oct. 18, a coalition of 14 groups wrote a letter to FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel supporting the rule.
Implementing the measure “can increase consumer choice, lower costs, and improve competition in the wireless marketplace,” they said.
“Wireless users are subject to unnecessary restrictions in the form of locked devices, which tie them to their service providers even when better options may be available. Handset locking practices limit consumer freedom and lessen competition by creating an artificial technological barrier to switching providers.”…