The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted Verizon permission to keep phones locked to its network for longer periods, as reported by The Verge. This decision waives Verizon’s previous 60-day unlocking requirement, leading to changes in the unlocking process for Verizon customers.
Following the FCC’s decision, Verizon must now adhere to a more relaxed set of guidelines outlined by the CTIA wireless trade group. These guidelines specify that carriers should only unlock a customer’s postpaid phone after the contract term ends, the device is fully paid off, or an early termination fee is settled. For prepaid phones, carriers are expected to unlock them no later than one year after initial activation.
The FCC’s move comes after Verizon petitioned to waive the 60-day unlocking rule, citing concerns about fraudulent activities. The FCC had initially imposed faster unlocking requirements on Verizon in 2008 as part of its spectrum license conditions, which were later relaxed to the 60-day period.
Verizon’s unique unlocking policies had made its handsets a target for criminal networks, according to the FCC. The regulatory change means that Verizon customers may experience longer waiting periods before being able to switch to another carrier after activating a phone with Verizon.
Source: The Verge