New Law -Ok to Hack your Phone to another carrier now

Tharamis · Jul 26, 2010

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128772296

"Another exemption will allow owners of used cell phones to break access controls on their phones in order to switch wireless carriers."

TexUs · Jul 26, 2010

Apple's restrictive obsession finally bit them in the a$$...

monty_boy · Jul 26, 2010

This is fine and dandy indeed, but do you really think the wireless service providers aren't going to throw heaps of lobbyist money to thwart this effort?

Mikey · Jul 26, 2010

All phones in the USA should come sim unlocked prior to buying the phone. Carriers should worry and concentrate on their data supplied and packages.
Not worry about "locking" down cells lure buyers to their company because they sim locked the phone to their network.

USA needs too learn a few more things from Europe.

Hepæstus · Jul 26, 2010

Yes but what about the case of Verizon phones where they don't use SIM cards? would they be required to switch to an "unlockable" phone setup? I'm thinking no, in which case what you may see in the case of other carriers is that their special phones (like iphone) are going to be locked down in the same manner as Verizon, i.e. SIM cardless

TexUs · Jul 26, 2010

monty_boy said:
This is fine and dandy indeed, but do you really think the wireless service providers aren't going to throw heaps of lobbyist money to thwart this effort?

It's apparently a done deal.

The DOJ has also launched a probe into the legality of the Apple/ATT deal... Something like 90% of their cases always win. So in other words, when the DOJ launches an investigation against you, you're screwed (they basically have the case built, just not officially).

Like I said earlier, Apple shot themselves in the foot with this one.

apxi84 · Jul 26, 2010

the problem si that there still lowed to put these restrictions on in the first place. there should be an option in a menu somewhere that says hey do you want to only user the appstore or would you like to be able to sideload apps. from those ive spoken to over 90% of people don't understand what a root or jailbreak is.

Mikey · Jul 26, 2010

Hepæstus said:
Yes but what about the case of Verizon phones where they don't use SIM cards? would they be required to switch to an "unlockable" phone setup? I'm thinking no, in which case what you may see in the case of other carriers is that their special phones (like iphone) are going to be locked down in the same manner as Verizon, i.e. SIM cardless

Verizon and have been switching their phones over to sim compatible

Hammerfest · Jul 26, 2010

is there a reason why the MOST IMPORTANT site isnt linked...

https://www.eff.org/press/archives/2010/07/26

GG KK THX BYE!

newalopez · Jul 26, 2010

But... Warranty? will be void still? I don't see nothing about this.

TexUs · Jul 26, 2010

Ummm... Maybe the NPR article took this out of context.

On EFF's request, the Librarian of Congress renewed a 2006 rule exempting cell phone unlocking so handsets can be used with other telecommunications carriers. Cell phone unlockers have been successfully sued under the DMCA, even though there is no copyright infringement involved in the unlocking. Digital locks on cell phones make it harder to resell, reuse, or recycle the handset, prompting EFF to ask for renewal of this rule on behalf of our clients, The Wireless Alliance, ReCellular and Flipswap. However, the 2009 rule has been modified so that it only applies to used mobile phones, not new ones.

This seems to mean that the carrier can still lock them, they just can't refuse to unlock them after purchase (IE, after becoming "used").

newalopez said:
But... Warranty? will be void still? I don't see nothing about this.

This is all about copyright... In other words, you bought the device you can do what the hell you want with it and Apple can't sue you.
This doesn't mean the App Store is going away or anything else, it basically just establishes into law that Apple can't hold someone at fault for using a device the way they want to use it.

If you do things to the device that aren't supported, you're still SOL. If you pour anti-freeze into your oil of your vehicle, for instance, Toyota or whomever isn't going to support it if you don't follow their manual.
So yes, they still have every right to void your warranty. However as usual, flashing back to stock firmware will net you warranty terms again obviously.

Gootah · Jul 26, 2010

Hhmmm...

How will this ever be enforced? Will the carriers do in store unlocks for "used" phones? Can me and a friend buy phones, sell it to each other for $1 and get them unlocked on the spot!?

...this is gonna be CHAOS! lol

TexUs · Jul 26, 2010

Gootah said:
How will this ever be enforced? Will the carriers do in store unlocks for "used" phones? Can me and a friend buy phones, sell it to each other for $1 and get them unlocked on the spot!?

...this is gonna be CHAOS! lol

No it won't be chaos... It really doesn't change much. Instead of doing it after 180 days they're required to as soon as it's "used" (I guess as soon as you buy it??). It also establishes more of a no-questions-asked policy versus having to tell them you travel internationally or something.

The main gist of this thing was aimed at Apple, this just happened to be a side affect.

bootk · Jul 26, 2010

Well at least here in my country (Portugal), new law was approved this month, now carriers must unlock all phones for free at the end of the contracts.

gbhartia · Jul 26, 2010

In my opinion there are two sides to it :

1) If the Service Provider (Sprint, AT&T etc.) gives a subsidy or discount as part of the contract, they should be allowed to network lock the phones since the consumer has not paid the full price of the phone and not fulfilled the contract. However, with the completion of the contract, the service provider should unlock the phone for free.(I am only talking abt the network lock here)

2) If the consumer has paid the full amount, then the phones should come unlocked.

As far as 'Jailbreaking' or installing softwares is concerned, the consumer should have the right to do so in any of the above 2 cases since he is the owner/user of the phone. The Manufacturer or Service provider has NO right to lock that portion. However, they should have the right to void warranty as there is a chance that the user may install potetially harmfull sofware on the phone thereby damaging it.

However, if the law comes that people are able to network unlock their phones legally, there is a chance that the service providers might stop subsidising the phones and ask for upfront payment.

rmeneses86 · Jul 26, 2010

Mikey1022 said:
All phones in the USA should come sim unlocked prior to buying the phone. Carriers should worry and concentrate on their data supplied and packages.
Not worry about "locking" down cells lure buyers to their company because they sim locked the phone to their network.

USA needs too learn a few more things from Europe.

i highly agree with you! they should work on providing better network, and data coverage i.e. ATT. they do have a fairly big clientele but is there service worth me moving from tmous. i dont think so. my x girl has att and she can barely get coverage in her house and we live in a city you would think got excellent coverage. SAN FRANCISCO!

rmeneses86 · Jul 26, 2010

Hepæstus said:
Yes but what about the case of Verizon phones where they don't use SIM cards? would they be required to switch to an "unlockable" phone setup? I'm thinking no, in which case what you may see in the case of other carriers is that their special phones (like iphone) are going to be locked down in the same manner as Verizon, i.e. SIM cardless

i think they should just phase out with the CDMA phones little by little and start intro'ing with the GSM'. same goes for sprint

hedcayce · Jul 27, 2010

Truth be told, CDMA is a superior technology but that's a debate for a different thread.
As far as Sprint and Verizon are concerned, their phones are just as "unlockable" as GSM handsets. MVNO carriers like Revol wireless and Page Plus live off of old beat up verizon and sprint phones. They simply need to be reflashed. With a little google-ing, it can be done fairly easily.

phatmanxxl · Jul 27, 2010

say goodbye to phone subsidies

greenstuffs · Jul 27, 2010

Great deal. Now it would be a better deal if carriers stop installing crap and bloat that you can't remove or not giving root access to the phone owner which is silly imo, lets see how many are willing to buy a computer without admin rights.

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