Unlocking phones was made illegal in nuary of 2013, when an exemption to the DMCA expired. The bi-partisan bill was passed last week by the U.S. House of Representatives, after already being approved by the Senate. There is bit of a catch: the Unlocking Consumer Choice reless Competition Act, as it’s called, is valid only through 2015. For now, it ensures you have a choice in matters of your mobile device, as long as your phone is compatible with another carrier’s network you’ve complied with your previous contract. And even if you don’t fancy yourself as technologically savvy, the bill allows you to seek outside help. It’s been a long journey to get to this point. About a year ago, the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) filed a petition urging the FCC to make a ruling that would require carriers to unlock phones tablets at the customer’s request. ile most carriers have been kind about unlocking devices, tools for consumers to unlock those phones tablets themselves were considered illegal. So, what are you waiting for? Go forth be free! At least until the next time this exemption expires.
