Is it legal or illegal for AT&T keeps locking the full retailed price phone?

[ouchyoung]

Just wondering whether AT&T keeps locking the 920 purchased at the full retailed price is correct or not. As I chose to purchase it at full price, it means I didn't get any benefit from AT&T, why does AT&T still have the power to lock my phone to their own network to kill my rights for choice?

 

[Duvi]

Just wondering whether AT&T keeps locking the 920 purchased at the full retailed price is correct or not. As I chose to purchase it at full price, it means I didn't get any benefit from AT&T, why does AT&T still have the power to lock my phone to their own network to kill my rights for choice?

You can get it unlocked.

 

[palandri]

Just wondering whether AT&T keeps locking the 920 purchased at the full retailed price is correct or not. As I chose to purchase it at full price, it means I didn't get any benefit from AT&T, why does AT&T still have the power to lock my phone to their own network to kill my rights for choice?

Because that's allowed in the U.S. I don't like it either, that's why I always buy unlocked/unbranded phones. I know the FCC has tried to regulate wireless carriers a little, with things like net neutrality, but the wireless carriers start screaming about getting regulations and the government out of their lives.

I guess we can't win.

 

[palandri]

You can get it unlocked.

Now or in 6 months like the Lumia 900?

 

[dkp23]

Why would it be illegal, it is their branded phone which means they can have it locked for their services only especially when they have 6-month exclusivity. If you want an unlocked phone, go get one from another retailer that is unbranded.

The benefit of you paying full price is that you are not stuck with a contrat and can cancel at any point. Also at some point, you will be able to unlock through ATT or a 3rd party.

 

[Duvi]

Now or in 6 months like the Lumia 900?

Right away...? Unlockers can't do it either? Or one of those sim cards that people used with the iPhone devices? I don't keep up with the unlocking scene any more as I use AT&T primarily and don't use any other GSM carrier.

 

[zukirin]

After what Duvi said, I decided to search around I found this:

How to Unlock Nokia Lumia 920 Cell Phone by Unlock Code - CellPhoneUnlock.net

I have no idea if this is legitimate or not however, but if it is...I think I might just bite.

 

[VagrantWade]

After what Duvi said, I decided to search around I found this:

How to Unlock Nokia Lumia 920 Cell Phone by Unlock Code - CellPhoneUnlock.net

I have no idea if this is legitimate or not however, but if it is...I think I might just bite.

Notice how it does not list any US carriers?

It's locked. And perfectly legal. They just dropped a ****load of money for exclusivity. they won't be unlocking it anytime soon.

 

[palandri]

After what Duvi said, I decided to search around I found this:

How to Unlock Nokia Lumia 920 Cell Phone by Unlock Code - CellPhoneUnlock.net

I have no idea if this is legitimate or not however, but if it is...I think I might just bite.

The U.S. isn't listed yet.

 

[palandri]

Notice how it does not list any US carriers?

It's locked. And perfectly legal. They just dropped a ****load of money for exclusivity. they won't be unlocking it anytime soon.

I would think 6 months like the 900

 

[VagrantWade]

I would think 6 months like the 900

Well yea. Because that's when the exclusivity deal will end.

 

[WPenvy]

The day 6months after it became available they will unlock it. They are allowed to wait 6 months with an exclusivity deal such as this according to a California court ruling.

AT&T Cellphone locking Cases

 

[invisik]

The AT&T rep at my corporate store said they will give you an unlock code in 3 situations:

1. You buy it for the full price up front, get an unlock code that day
2. You finish out a 2-year agreement
3. You pay early termination to get out ofa 3 year agreement

 

[jeremyshaw]

The AT&T rep at my corporate store said they will give you an unlock code in 3 situations:

1. You buy it for the full price up front, get an unlock code that day
2. You finish out a 2-year agreement
3. You pay early termination to get out ofa 3 year agreement

If it's an exclusive device... ugh. Someone I know has a HTC Vivid. It's, "AT&T exclusive," and now discontinued by the manufacture (HTC... I *do* wonder why their star is fading). Now, AT&T says it will not be unlocked, as it is 100% exclusive to them. Well, that settles it. Since my contract is up, I'm moving to T-Mobile. Google Nexus phones have an unwritten target of being developed for T-Mobile, anyways (if you need to buy an android phone, for any reason).