FCC calls for phone unlocking to be made much, much easier

The head of the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), Tom Wheeler, is calling for phone providers to pass rules that will make it easier for handset owners to unlock their devices. In a letter to Steve Largent, president and CEO of CTIA The Wireless Association, Wheeler says that "enough time has passed, and it is now time for the industry to act voluntarily or for the FCC to regulate". He goes on to call for the unlocking policy to be put in place before the December holiday season.

Wheeler is concerned that despite eight months of collaboration between CTIA and the FCC to make changes to CTIA's Consumer Code, these changes are yet to be made. The FCC is asking for five specific rules to be put in place to make it easier for consumers to unlock their phones.

1. Provide a clear, concise, and readily accessible policy on unlocking.


2. Unlock mobile wireless devices for customers, former customers, and legitimate owners when the applicable service contract, installment plan, or ETF has been fulfilled.


3. Affirmatively notify customers when their devices are eligible for unlocking and/or automatically unlock devices when eligible, without an additional fee.


4. Process unlocking requests or provide an explanation of denial within two business days.


5. Unlock devices for military personnel upon deployment.

These all seem like reasonable demands -- it amounts to allowing customers to unlock their phones, be informed about the process involved and for unlocking to be carried out in reasonable time without cost.

According to Wheeler's letter, it is just the third point that is proving problematic. He does not expand on whether it is the automatic unlocking of devices that is the stumbling block, the request that customers be notified of unlocking eligibility, or the requirement for there to be no fee.

It remains to be seen if anything will happen in time for the holiday season as requested, but the ball is very much in CTIA's court now.

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