UNLOCKING Legal Now!!!

[ike2000]

I just followed your link to the bill in question. Nothing in it says that the carrier will be compelled to unlock a phone. It jst said that the owner could legally do it, or legally request someone else to do it. Doesn't mean anyone has to.

What is all this dribbling with words. This is - as titled - " Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act" ... the individual - the owner will request the unlocking. I'm amazed by you trying to squeeze out the exact interpretation of the law. If the (QUALIFIED) consumer makes the request, then AT&T is compelled to obey the law and provide the unlock code.

READ THIS:

Unlocking at Direction of Owner-

(1) IN GENERAL- Circumvention of a technological measure that restricts wireless telephone handsets or other wireless devices from connecting to a wireless telecommunications network--
(A)(i) as authorized by paragraph (3) of section 201.40(b) of title 37, Code of Federal Regulations, as made effective by subsection (a), and
(ii) as may be extended to other wireless devices pursuant to a determination in the rulemaking conducted under subsection (b), or
(B) as authorized by an exemption adopted by the Librarian of Congress pursuant to a determination made on or after the date of enactment of this Act under section 1201(a)(1)(C) of title 17, United States Code,
may be initiated by the owner of any such handset or other device, by another person at the direction of the owner, or by a provider of a commercial mobile radio service or a commercial mobile data service at the direction of such owner or other person, solely in order to enable such owner or a family member of such owner to connect to a wireless telecommunications network, when such connection is authorized by the operator of such network.
(2) NO BULK UNLOCKING- Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to permit the unlocking of wireless handsets or other wireless devices, for the purpose of bulk resale, or to authorize the Librarian of Congress to authorize circumvention for such purpose under this Act, title 17, United States Code, or any other provision of law.
(d) Rule of Construction- Except as provided in subsection (c), nothing in this Act alters, or shall be construed to alter, the authority of the Librarian of Congress under section 1201(a)(1) of title 17, United States Code.
(e) Definitions- In this Act:
(1) COMMERCIAL MOBILE DATA SERVICE; COMMERCIAL MOBILE RADIO SERVICE- The terms `commercial mobile data service' and `commercial mobile radio service' have the respective meanings given those terms in section 20.3 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK- The term `wireless telecommunications network' means a network used to provide a commercial mobile radio service or a commercial mobile data service.
(3) WIRELESS TELEPHONE HANDSETS; WIRELESS DEVICES- The terms `wireless telephone handset' and `wireless device' mean a handset or other device that operates on a wireless telecommunications network.​

Explore this statement: "Circumvention of a technological measure that restricts wireless telephone handsets or other wireless devices from connecting to a wireless telecommunications network."

Do not expect the congress to use street English in enacting laws. Laws are encompassing and do not require the kind of argument we are having here. LOCKING is the measure that restricts wireless telephone handsets ... from connecting to another telecommunication network (from AT&T to T-Mobile, for example.) The law is geared to "Circumvent" the restriction - by providing the UNLOCK code.

If you are expecting to read "compelled" or "AT&T," by mention, in the bill, you need to read the bible and find out where you are, personally, named a sinner.

 

[21stNow]

The Act only returns the law to what was in effect on July 27, 2010. Carriers were not compelled to unlock phones at that time and will not be in the near future as a result of this law. You can look to the many AT&T customers that tried to get iPhones unlocked in 2010 as an example of a carrier not unlocking a phone even if paid for in full or the contract was completed. The consumer can request an unlock code and the carrier can say no. There isn't much new here.

 

[ike2000]

The Act only returns the law to what was in effect on July 27, 2010. Carriers were not compelled to unlock phones at that time and will not be in the near future as a result of this law. You can look to the many AT&T customers that tried to get iPhones unlocked in 2010 as an example of a carrier not unlocking a phone even if paid for in full or the contract was completed. The consumer can request an unlock code and the carrier can say no. There isn't much new here.

I care less how the carriers operate. We are in a country of law and order - a company or citizens does not choose which laws to obey. I seriously, don't give a hoot.

My qualm is ONLY inproper disclosure. If the carrier's terms are laid out, then, the consumer makes the ultimate decision to engage that carrier or not. However, what obtains - as in the case of Lumia 1520 - is deceptive practice by AT&T, where it is advertised (still on the Microsoft site) as a "No Contract" device - without fine print of the the contract requirement. This clearly is: DECEPTION.

Companies always play hardball, only if you allow them to. Besides this act, there are other provisions in consumer laws which prohibit false advertisement and promote binding disclosure clauses. The carriers are well aware of these, you can hit them in the balls via these avenues. They equally, are leery of their good names and not wanting to be perceived in bad eyes. Does Fair Trade Doctrine ring a bell?

Listen, I'm through with this topic. Can't explain anymore. The law is what it is and ALL, irrespective of creed, must abide by the letters of the law.

Finally, if the refuse to give the code, they can be hacked, easily! Apple and AT&T were victims of these in the early days of the iPhone, if you remember. Just don't open another invitation to that community.

 

[palandri]

...Listen, I'm through with this topic. Can't explain anymore....

I'll close it for you. If you want it reopened just send me a PM. Thanks!