UK regulator Ofcom to ban carriers from selling locked handsets to make dumping clingy networks even easier
- Reference: 1603810334
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/10/27/ofcom_ban_sim_locked_handsets/
- Source link:
The new rules, which will come into force in December 2021, are part of an effort by Ofcom to allow punters to easily switch between networks. This follows regulations introduced in 2019 by Ofcom which allowed users to port their phone numbers by [2]requesting a PAC code by SMS .
Announcing the rule changes, Ofcom acknowledged many carriers already sell devices without the kind of pernicious SIM locking that plagued consumers in the 2000s and prior, back in the dark ages where most people obtained new devices by signing up to a lengthy 24-month contract. However, some networks continue such practices, and Ofcom mentioned Vodafone, EE, and Tesco Mobile by name.
Ofcom argued SIM locks restrict competition by deterring individuals from switching carriers. Unlocking a phone comes with a financial cost, which is often as much as £10. EE, for example, [3]charges £8.99 to unlock a device that's in contract, and requires the contract to be at least six months old.
The watchdog also noted that half of customers struggle to unlock their devices – suffering service disruption, or having to wait for prolonged periods before receiving the necessary unlock code.
The Register has contacted Vodafone, EE, and Tesco Mobile for comment.
These rules coincide with the introduction of other consumer-friendly regulation targeting the telecommunications industry. New measures announced today will force networks to provide prospective customers with a summary of their contract before they sign up. This will list prices, minimum speeds, and the duration of the contract.
Ofcom also announced plans to make it easier for customers to switch between networks that use different underlying infrastructure, such as from Virgin Media to Community Fibre. ®
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[1] https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/features-and-news/mobile-firms-banned-from-selling-locked-handsets
[2] https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/features-and-news/text-to-switch-simple-to-switch-mobile-network
[3] https://ee.co.uk/help/help-new/getting-started-and-upgrading/unlock-your-phone/unlock-a-ee-device-to-use-with-another-network
[4] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Wait, what?
A government department actually doing what it's supposed to and protecting the consumer instead of the industry? Who are you and what have you done with the real government department?
Ok admittedly, the legislation is 20 years too late to have a real effect, but even so...
Re: Wait, what?
I think they took "slowly slowly catchy monkey" too seriously
Re: A government department actually doing what it's supposed to
Yes, great success, it only took them about 20 years!
Why so slow? Hasn't this been EU legislation since 2018 or earlier?
My recent experience of this issue was trying to unblock an out-of-contract EE iPhone my daughter was given by a friend.
Several phone calls and promises and nothing actually done by EE. No recourse, no apologies.
in some EU countries this was never the case.
@MrReynolds2U
Hasn't this been EU legislation since 2018 or earlier?
Surely not! If this was an EU rule, our "government" would have passed a rule banning unlocked phones with one of the usual false excuses...
1. Terrorists
2. To protect children
3. To cut red tape
If Ree Smogg or Dom realise that this would bring us into line with anywhere else than the USA, the rule could yet be reversed...
Hasn't this been EU legislation since 2018 or earlier?
I don't think there's any EU legislation. In France the law says that operators must unlock phones free after 6 months, although some operators only apply a 3 month delay.
Now if only we can make it the law that phone manufactures unlock the bootloaders on their phones when they stop supplying updates, so that alternative ROMs can be installed on them, and that bloatware can be uninstalled without having to root the phone
Now if only we can make it the law that phone manufactures unlock the bootloaders on their phones
GREAT idea! I'd say... 10 years to push it through for the legislators to notice the idea (e.g. selling it to the politician so that they can claim they're all for "green!!!", and "sustainable!!!"). Then another 10 - 15 years or so to make it happen.
While it's taken ages for OFCOM to get this far I congratulate them on number porting by SMS.
I recently had to do this on two phones and it was all over in less than 30 mins.
I also ported my POTS PSTN number away from the copper cable to a VoIP provider which was equally seamless and efficient.
If only...
Now if the FCC just had the balls to do that in the US...