Mobile Phone Unlocking Now Legal In The US

by Benson Agoha

This may be what we take for granted in the UK with many `unlocked phones’ easily available in the shops, but in America, at least for the past one and half years, mobile phone unlocking has been illegal. It all changed yesterday.

Mobile Phone unlocking was officially permitted in America again after President Barack Obama signed the Bill into law.

* Mobile Phone unlocking is now legal in the US.

The Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act makes it legal, once again to carrier unlock your phones in the US without getting permission from the phone company that locked it in the first place.

“Early last year, it became illegal to unlock your handset for use on other carriers unless your provider directly gives you the permission to do so,” explained Brad Molen of `engadget’.

After getting the approval of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, the US cellphone (mobile phone) unlocking bill was signed by President Obama.

The new law is not considered a permanent solution because mobile phone carriers might device other ways to control swapping, but the White House is calling it "an example of democracy at its best", according to Billy Steele.

An online survey by Engadget has attracted more than 11,500 votes.

Of the lot, 80% of respondents like it and think the new law represent `very good news’ with only 3% saying they’re furious over the news. 7% said they have already unlocked theirs since the law came into effect, but 10% of respondents are indifferent.

One respondent said “Oh, boy! Democracy works! This proves it! We won, guys!!” At least one respondent did not believe President Obama actually have signed the bill.

Also published in >>> [WOOLWICHONLINE.EU].