Earlier quoted context omitted.
Generally they are sold at a discount, with the deal that they will make back the discount if you use their service. You can buy an unlocked phone new from the manufacturer but then you will pay full price.
Are they actually discounted? Where I am in Europe they don't do that anymore, it's usually cheaper to buy the phone from Amazon - if you can afford the up front cost.
FCC wants all phones unlocked in sixty days, AT&T and T-Mobile aren't so keen
131–140 of 286 posts
Re: FCC wants all phones unlocked in sixty days, AT&T and T-Mobile aren't so keen
#132How are the carrier locks implemented today? I assume it must be implemented on the client (phone). Do the carriers work with all the phone manufacturers to have them add this capability?
Yes, manufacturers do this to get them on the shelf at retailers.
Re: FCC wants all phones unlocked in sixty days, AT&T and T-Mobile aren't so keen
#133Earlier quoted context omitted.
It is 100% an anti theft mechanism - it prevents people from stealing phones from carriers. The scam is: - get a new iphone from tmobile that costs $30 over 2 years. - don’t pay them anything: you just got a free iphone. Tmobile is mad and won’t provide service to that handset because you stole it from them. - You open a new line with at&t and tell them you’re bringing your own phone. Carrier locking prevents this. I…
sorry if this is a stupid question, but if you don't pay for the phone don't they repossess it or something?
So your average phone costs $700-$800 retail new. Cost of repossession would be going to court, court costs, lawyer bills etc. I would end up costing $5000+ for a piece of used goods that is worth $300 if they are lucky.
Re: FCC wants all phones unlocked in sixty days, AT&T and T-Mobile aren't so keen
#134Earlier quoted context omitted.
How do they distinguish you from a phone thief? Is there some kind of check with the previous owner?
Locking the phone to a carrier is not an anti-theft mechanism. They're available in abundance on the used market with no special protections of any kind from the carriers, the only difference is that they sell for a fraction of the cost because you're locked in to the single carrier. Maybe you're thinking of the locking mechanisms built in to Android and iOS?
> the only difference is that they sell for a fraction of the cost because you're locked in to the single carrier
I mean, that’s honestly kind of a theft deterrent. One that’s distributed on average amongst the set of all stolen phones, but anything that reduces the average expected value of a phone thief is de facto a deterrent.
Re: FCC wants all phones unlocked in sixty days, AT&T and T-Mobile aren't so keen
#135Earlier quoted context omitted.
Verizon in particular. My Pixel 3 is still more than capable hardware-wise, but it's years out of software support. I could get much more use out of it, but the bootloader is locked and Verizon will not unlock it, so it's e-waste.
Protip: Call Verizon and tell them refusing to unlock your fully-paid for phone can be considered theft in your jurisdiction and can result in criminal charges. They'll unlock it very quickly. The techs aren't legal geniuses.
I doubt this. Unlocks can be done by T4 support but legal threats will kick you to a separate system that will not respond to requests that quickly.
Re: FCC wants all phones unlocked in sixty days, AT&T and T-Mobile aren't so keen
#136> “The Commission fails to point to specific statutory authorization for an unlocking mandate and would have profound economic consequences, thus raising a major question that would require clear statutory authority from Congress.”
Surely they're right? Seems like a stretch for them to be claiming the authority to make rules about this.
Re: FCC wants all phones unlocked in sixty days, AT&T and T-Mobile aren't so keen
#137Just adding a little bit of context about AT&T: I collect used cell phones, erase them, unlock when possible, and distribute them to unhoused people through several local food shelves, which allows those people to access benefits, housing, health care, jobs, etc which would otherwise be out of reach. With AT&T I can go to their website and unlock an old phone in minutes, allowing them to use a no-cost carrier like QL…
Is there a way to get phones to you or information about how to do this myself? I am sure I could find similar programs if I looked but it sounds interesting.
Re: FCC wants all phones unlocked in sixty days, AT&T and T-Mobile aren't so keen
#138Earlier quoted context omitted.
Locking the phone to a carrier is not an anti-theft mechanism. They're available in abundance on the used market with no special protections of any kind from the carriers, the only difference is that they sell for a fraction of the cost because you're locked in to the single carrier. Maybe you're thinking of the locking mechanisms built in to Android and iOS?
> the only difference is that they sell for a fraction of the cost because you're locked in to the single carrier I mean, that’s honestly kind of a theft deterrent. One that’s distributed on average amongst the set of all stolen phones, but anything that reduces the average expected value of a phone thief is de facto a deterrent.
A theft deterrent that doesn't actual deter theft and solely benefits the carrier.
If I steal an $800 phone but can only sell it for $400 because it's locked to AT&T I've still sold it for a profit lol.
Re: FCC wants all phones unlocked in sixty days, AT&T and T-Mobile aren't so keen
#139Earlier quoted context omitted.
Verizon in particular. My Pixel 3 is still more than capable hardware-wise, but it's years out of software support. I could get much more use out of it, but the bootloader is locked and Verizon will not unlock it, so it's e-waste.
Protip: Call Verizon and tell them refusing to unlock your fully-paid for phone can be considered theft in your jurisdiction and can result in criminal charges. They'll unlock it very quickly. The techs aren't legal geniuses.
Unfortunately not. I'm currently embroiled in a complaint with my state's public utilities commission with Verizon. Verizon's corporate reps 'upgraded' my grandfathered plan without my consent while switching devices, and their phone reps truly don't care about the threat of regulatory bodies. So even with an actionable legal threat and a case number, their phone support has not at all been responsive.
Re: FCC wants all phones unlocked in sixty days, AT&T and T-Mobile aren't so keen
#140> “The Commission fails to point to specific statutory authorization for an unlocking mandate and would have profound economic consequences, thus raising a major question that would require clear statutory authority from Congress.” Surely they're right? Seems like a stretch for them to be claiming the authority to make rules about this.
Why? FCC has every right to regulate communication equipment.