The FCC wants to force carriers to unlock phones within 60 days

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) proposal to standardize the time consumers have to wait to unlock their cell phones and switch carriers. It also covers the FCC's other initiatives, such as approving rules to provide schools and libraries access to federal E-Rate funds for Wi-Fi hotspot loans, and rules to reduce the cost of jail calls and prohibit certain fees for incarcerated people contacting their loved ones.

🙋 Q&A

[01] FCC's Proposal to Standardize Cell Phone Unlocking

1. What is the FCC's proposal regarding cell phone unlocking?

• The FCC voted unanimously to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to make mobile service providers unlock customers' phones within 60 days of activation.
• The proposed rule aims to boost consumer choice and competition among mobile service providers.

2. What are the FCC's considerations for the proposed rule?

• The FCC is seeking comment on whether the proposed rule should apply to existing or future service contracts.
• The FCC is also considering how the proposed rule could impact smaller mobile service providers and resellers if more phones become available on the secondary market.

3. What are the current unlocking requirements among different carriers?

• Unlocking requirements vary between carriers, which the FCC says creates confusion for customers.
• For example, AT&T allows customers to unlock their phones within 60 days of activation if they've paid off their phone in full or completed their payment plan, while Boost Mobile will unlock phones once a customer completes their payments for the phone.

[02] Other FCC Initiatives

1. What other initiatives did the FCC approve?

• The FCC voted to approve final rules to let schools and libraries access federal E-Rate funds to loan Wi-Fi hotspots to students, school staff, and library patrons.
• The FCC also approved rules to slash the cost of jail calls and prohibit certain fees that drive up prices for incarcerated people seeking to contact their loved ones.

2. What are the details of the rules for jail calls?

• The price per minute of audio calls will be capped at 6 cents in prisons and 7 cents in medium-sized jails, down from 14 cents and 21 cents respectively.
• The FCC also set video call rate caps ranging from 11 to 25 cents depending on the type or size of the jail or prison.