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| Published: | 2014-Mar-01 |
| Last Updated: | 2014-Mar-25 |
| Principal Writer: | Barry Shatzman |
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Unlocking Technology Act
2013 (HR-1892)
Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act2013 (S-517)
Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act2013 (HR-1123)
Digital Millennium Copyright Act1998 (HR-2281)
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It's secure and takes under a minute.
What does it mean to unlock a mobile device?
There currently are two technologies used by cell phones in the U.S.
o GSM: Used by AT&T and T-Mobile. This also is the most common technology used internationally. Phone information is stored on a SIM (for Subscriber Identity Module) card inserted into the phone. In an unlocked phone, all that is required to change carriers is to replace the phone's SIM card with a SIM card from the new carrier.
In a locked phone that uses GSM, a software program will allow the phone to work only with the original SIM card. Unlocking the phone - which can be as simple as entering a code on the keypad - removes this restriction.
A CDMA phone cannot be unlocked to be used with another carrier. However, recent phones such as Apple's Iphone 5 contain both technologies. Therefore, an Iphone5 using Sprint's CDMA technology can be unlocked, allowing it to access GSM carriers.
Technology vs. Corporate Policy
CTIA - The Wireless Association has listed a set of guidelines for wireless companies to use in deciding whether to approve your request to unlock your phone. The guidelines, however, leave much much of the discretion and control of the process to the carriers, rather than the owner of the phone.
One example of how this can work against your interest comes from Sprint. The carrier has recently argued that its Iphone 5 can be unlocked for international GSM use only, while Apple claims the phones can be unlocked for domestic use also.
To read more about the CTIA guidelines and how wireless carriers hope to implement unlocking, see this Washington Post story.
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