Cell Phone Unlocking Cellular Telexommunications Industry Association agreement w FCC
When cell phone users change between compatible wireless service providers, they have the option of "unlocking" their phones to use on their new service provider's network, giving consumers greater freedom and flexibility while increasing incentives for service providers to innovate.
Carriers, upon request, will unlock mobile wireless devices or provide the necessary information to unlock their devices, for customers and former customers in good standing and individual owners of eligible devices after the fulfillment of the applicable postpaid service contract, device financing plan or payment of an applicable early termination fee.
Carriers that lock devices will clearly notify customers that their devices are eligible for unlocking at the time when their devices are eligible for unlocking or automatically unlock devices remotely when devices are eligible for unlocking, without additional fee. Carriers reserve the right to charge non-customers/non-former-customers a reasonable fee for unlocking requests.
Within two business days after receiving a request, carriers will unlock eligible mobile wireless devices or initiate a request to the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to unlock the eligible device, provide an explanation of why the device does not qualify for unlocking, or why the carrier reasonably needs additional time to process the request.