President Obama Signs Cellphone Unlocking Bill, Makes It Legal

Several weeks ago, the cellphone unlocking bill was passed by the Senate and not too long after, President Obama said that he would soon be signing the bill that would make it go into effect. Well that day has come as President Obama has officially signed the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act.

What does this mean? Well this means is that your phone, which could be locked to a carrier, is now unlockable and is no longer considered illegal! Of course there are several provisions, one of which is making sure that you are no longer under any contractual obligations to your carrier before you unlock your phone.

At the same time even if you are and you’re thinking about switching to another carrier, you will still be able to get them to unlock your phone, although you will most likely have to pay an early termination fee for ending your contract ahead of schedule. Alternatively you could always head on over to a mobile phone shop where they could unlock it for you, assuming they possess the know-how.

In a post by Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy, “At a time when partisan gridlock all too often threatens progress on everyday issues that matter to consumers, working together we listened to your voices, and the American people benefited as a result.”

Tyler Lee
Categories: Cellphones
Tags: Legal