Locked Phones Are Good For You

[evanvilmos]

Now we just need a law preventing companies from locking a bootloader permanently on a phone that otherwise would have it unlockable (verizon with google pixels)

[TalesOfGod]

Glad to hear that they are headed in this direction. We got rid of locked phones in Canada a few years ago and it made companies more competitive.

[EVILBUNNY]

Here in the UK Ofcom banned phone carriers from locking phones 3 years ago, along with making it easier by law to switch providers and keep your old phone number (since this was another off putting reason for people to not change because of the hassle)

Some of the best legislation ever. Providers are way more competitive with their pricing because they know how easy it is to lose customers now

[xboxbam]

I explicitly buy new unlocked phones anyway (mainly to avoid extra bloatware). It requires buying the phone outright, but if you are the type to stick with one phone for a long while, it is the better option.

[simpleq]

Man, humanity will look back at phone carriers and think wtf - why did humanity put up with such a abusive relationship. Customers absolute take the pi$$ it's unbelievable.

[zorimanar]

we dont need that ruuuleee" -AT&T

[feezer]

I'm in Canada. 2 days ago I got a $1300 phone from my carrier for $120. All phones sold by cell carriers (in Canada) must unlocked, by law.

Don't let them even attempt the argument. Competition is what's best for consumers. Locking phones to a carrier is anti-competitive.

[JayG]

It isn't about fraud, it's about market control.

[rmt]

AT&T & T-Mobile: C'mon! Back us up here!
Verison: Na, I big chillin'. 😎

[Bharlos]

Unlocked as long as you're paying/it's paid off seems like common sense

[lucifox]

we really need to stop allowing corporations to do whatever they want

[ricardobino]

By a miracle all countries that have unlocked phones don't have this problem, but somehow it will be for america. 😒

[HurlingMongroach]

Everytime a major company becomes this way charge them 1 billion for each law they break

[JoeBleaux]

Their explanation is perfectly valid for prepaid phones that sell at huge discounts

[adpop]

Buying a simlock free phone and then getting a plan somewhere is ALWAYS cheaper than getting a phone+plan from a carrier. That people think they are getting a free expensive phone with the plan is mind-boggling stupid.

[Red_Nanaki]

Wait a minute Verizon actually good on this one lmao

[AaravBaranwal]

So in America after getting a new phone the data providers lock it only to only there network towers?

[amycox]

Shoutout to the FCC for quickly becoming my favorite government agency.

[jhoughjr]

Its to make sure they recoup the subsidized cost of a thousand dollar phone.
Ive never had issues unlocking a paid off phone

[VinceAleYT]

I hate phones where you can't unlock the bootloader and flash another unlocked ROM or a GSI.
Open Source and choice is why I love AOSP (Android Open Source Project, so Android).