Thanks to a 2012 Copyright Law, consumers will soon be allowed to switch carriers, despite unlocking their phones! This bill will be in effect once President Obama signs this law to become an existing bill. While consumers over the nation rejoice, we can only imagine how miserable cell phone carriers feel. Oh well, their loss.
[ TIME Excerpt via Alex Fitzpatrick]
–“The bill, dubbed the “Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act,” makes it legal for Americans to unlock their cellphones without carriers’ permission. Unlocking a phone frees it for use with a wireless carrier other than the one on which it was initially sold. For example, if you bought your cellphone from AT&T, unlocking it could make it usable on T-Mobile.
“The bill Congress passed today is another step toward giving ordinary Americans more flexibility and choice, so that they can find a cell phone carrier that meets their needs and their budget,” said Obama in a Friday statement. “I commend Chairmen Leahy and Goodlatte, and Ranking Members Grassley and Conyers for their leadership on this important consumer issue and look forward to signing this bill into law.”
Congress’ final bill was first passed by the Senate earlier this month. After deliberation over some controversial language, the House agreed to pass the Senate’s version of the bill on Friday.
The unlocking bill came about after a 2012 decision by the U.S. Copyright Office effectively outlawed unlocking without carriers’ permission. That move sparked outrage among consumer watchdog groups, who argued the move reduced consumer choice. More than 114,000 people also signed an online White House petition against the move.”–
What do you think about this new law? We definitely think this a positive move for U.S. consumers because it’s stops phone companies from “trapping” their clients into costly plans/data coverages. Let us know how you feel below!
Product Of Society 