Here is the ABC News link:
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/now-illegal-unlock-cellphone/story?id=18319518
I just want to clarify that
I am not trying to "sensationalize" the issue.
I am not trying to pass on "misinformation."
I don't write for ABC.
I don't write legislation.
I don't vote on the passage of legislation.
I am merely sharing a link on a story that you will see sooner or later.
At least now you can say you saw it first on XDA!
DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER.
Please hit the "Thanks" button.
A link has been added to sign a petition if you are interested. It requires a "White House DOT Gov Account." Why?" Big Brother, probably.
I am not afilliated with the Federal Government,
I am not afilliated with any State Government,
I am not afilliated with Law Enforcement,
IN NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM.
I'm just a regular dude trying to make a positive, informative contribution to the community which I love so much and am very greatful and appreciative for ALL of the contributors, and everyone who shares. Where would we be without the Devs? Running STOCK, UNROOTED!
The petiton link was found via www.phonearena.com.
White House Petition:
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/make-unlocking-cell-phones-legal/1g9KhZG7
Let us expand on the sensationalistic thread title, as many will not click through to see the real story, shall we?
Unauthorized subsidy unlocks performed without the consent of the carrier, return to being illegal under the DMCA today.
This does not mean that AT&T or T-Mobile won't or cannot provide unlocks, although it could mean that they might become less likely to do so during the period between the user purchasing the device at new line or upgrade pricing and the contract period expiring or an ETF being paid.
Re: Carrier Unlocking Your Cellphone ILLEGAL As Of TODAY
It is not illegal to unlock my phone, like you said. It is for phones purchased after today.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
PaulF8080 said:
It is not illegal to unlock my phone, like you said. It is for phones purchased after today.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you misread it. If your phone was unlocked as of today then you are grandfathered in. If it is not unlocked then it is illegal for you to unlock it without the consent of the carrier.
Edit: My apologies PaulF8080 as you are correct and the story in the first post is not written correctly.
Re: Carrier Unlocking Your Cellphone ILLEGAL As Of TODAY
*cough cough*
Ebay *cough*
*cough*
............................*sneeze*
Sent from my SGH-T879 using xda premium
This may just drive up the prices of unlocked phones on eBay. Still curious to know how carriers will know if your phone was unlocked yesterday or tomorrow. I tend to use Canadian unlocked phones anyways.
Agoattamer said:
No, you misread it. If your phone was unlocked as of today then you are grandfathered in. If it is not unlocked then it is illegal for you to unlock it without the consent of the carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is misinformation.
Any phone bought before today can be carrier unlocked, legally. And then there is the fact that the carriers are not really on a witch hunt to find anyone anyway. At least not yet.
Seems that story in the first post may be incorrect. You are correct kimtyson.
Unlocking phones without the express consent of the carrier who locked them became illegal thanks to edits to DMCA exemptions back in October, but it's only now that the 90-day grace period is running out. Locked phones purchased in the 90 days after the ruling are still game to be unlocked, but from here on out, for an unlocked phone to be legitimate, it'll have to have been bought that way or come with a permission slip from your carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Taken from: http://gizmodo.com/5978982/unlocking-your-phone-is-illegal-starting-tomorrow
DELETED -(addendum to title description)
Re: Carrier Unlocking Your Cellphone ILLEGAL As Of TODAY
It should be illegal when/if you still have contract or the phone is on EIP. other that it should be fine because you own the phone and you can do what u you want with the phone
granted it maybe, but when I saw the article, I went on to ATT chat this morning and unlocked my wife's SIII. Did my replacement note about 3 weeks back. Both phones under original 24 month contract, mine 8 months since upgrade, wife's about 6 months since her upgrade, both subsidized by the way......
Re: Carrier Unlocking Your Cellphone ILLEGAL As Of TODAY
How in the world are people going to enforce this?
Sent from my GT-P7510 using xda premium
tigeryee said:
How in the world are people going to enforce this?
Sent from my GT-P7510 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually pretty simple, service provides will no longer unlock your phone and the pay for folks will charge four times the amount, because that is what the service providers will charge them. Not hard at all.
Agoattamer said:
This may just drive up the prices of unlocked phones on eBay. Still curious to know how carriers will know if your phone was unlocked yesterday or tomorrow. I tend to use Canadian unlocked phones anyways.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nah, I don't think so...Apparently, it is still legal to unlock your phone if you bought it used.
Gizmodo said:
Legacy phones, i.e. "used (or perhaps unused) phones previously purchased or otherwise acquired by a consumer" are still cool to unlock, and that definition has a little bit of play in it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Re: Carrier Unlocking Your Cellphone ILLEGAL As Of TODAY
My opinion... If I want to unlock my phone fully (and the option to do so exists) I'm going to do it. It's not like I can jump carriers & not pay the ETF before the contract is up.
Just another example of crap legislation from D.C. morons.
Sent from my Thunderbolt using one opposable thumb.
This contradicts legislation already in place called fair use, which means if you buy a phone outright (no contract or used), you are free to modify it any way you please.
That law came as a result of class action against at&t and the iphone.
If you buy a phone at a subsidized price through a contract/upgrade, you break the law for flashing non-carrier software. The carrier still owns the phone until you pay it off.
Throwing a bone into the equation. For example, look at all the used ATT Notes that are for sale at this moment. I would say most of those are still involved with a subsidized 2 year contract. So how would future purchases like this be handled? I wonder if IMEI codes will have to be released before they can become unlocked. That would be the only way to run checks on this.
All I can say about that is a web service chat session with at&t gets you the code.
gibbsrob said:
Here is the ABC News link:
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/now-illegal-unlock-cellphone/story?id=18319518
I just want to clarify that
I am not trying to "sensationalize" the issue.
I am not trying to pass on "misinformation."
I don't write for ABC.
I don't write legislation.
I don't vote on the passage of legislation.
I am merely sharing a link on a story that you will see sooner or later.
At least now you can say you saw it first on XDA!
DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER.
Please hit the "Thanks" button.
A link has been added to sign a petition if you are interested. It requires a "White House DOT Gov Account." Why?" Big Brother, probably.
I am not afilliated with the Federal Government,
I am not afilliated with any State Government,
I am not afilliated with Law Enforcement,
IN NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM.
I'm just a regular dude trying to make a positive, informative contribution to the community which I love so much and am very greatful and appreciative for ALL of the contributors, and everyone who shares. Where would we be without the Devs? Running STOCK, UNROOTED!
The petiton link was found via www.phonearena.com.
White House Petition:
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/make-unlocking-cell-phones-legal/1g9KhZG7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lmao You guys think there going to approve this and make it legal again?
T-Mobile and AT&T are the ones who created to make the idea of unlocking illegal and presented it to the Congress. I don't see them making this legal again. Obviously its a monopoly.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
This seems like it's aimed at people who are selling unlocked phones in higher numbers - it's not illegal to call up your carrier, request the unlock code, and unlock the phone, yesterday or today or whenever. It's only illegal if they say "no" and you go ahead and unlock it by some other means.
IMO, this is aimed for iPhone users - my phone took me 5 minutes to unlock, since I happened to have a SIM from another carrier. iPhones need to go through some big process to unlock, even officially. I asked for my wife's unlock code for her phone, and they gave this whole list of instructions, which included 24-48 hour wait for the code to be obtained, or something.
If I had to go through that with the Note, I might think about unlocking it by some other means as well, especially if I'm just trying to sell it.
Related
I spoke with an AT&T rep today about getting my unlock code since I'll be in korea, but according to them, they cannot unlock my phone since AT&T has an exclusivity contract on my phone until December. I thought I read somewhere that if you ask nicely they will unlock it for you?
Keep calling and keep pestering them. If you get no joy from the rep, get their supervisor/manager on the phone. Eventually you should get someone who will give you the unlock code. It is sometimes a pain getting the code from them, but they should give it to you. Tell them you weren't told anything about exclusivity when you bought the phone, and that you specifically asked about it being unlocked, and was told customer support would do it for you.
If all else fail, try cellunlocker.net
That's how I got mine unlocked.
There is a three day turnaround wait for the code, but if there's no option, what should you do?
- Sent from my ATRIX 4G using XDA app -
Yeah you have to keep calling them and bother them to give you the unlock code... I had a Rep tell me there are no unlock codes but I imagine she didn't know what she was doing so I talked to someone higher up and bam got it...
Sent from my Motorola Olympus running gingerblur 3.5 on 1.8.3 using XDA App
You can keep calling, but they simply don't give us the unlock codes until December. The codes come from Moto, and AT&T locks them down till exclusivity ends.
link12245 said:
You can keep calling, but they simply don't give us the unlock codes until December. The codes come from Moto, and AT&T locks them down till exclusivity ends.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So then the people reporting that they have gotten it are merely trolling me? or is this a new policy?
willy101 said:
So then the people reporting that they have gotten it are merely trolling me? or is this a new policy?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see anyone in this particular thread trolling you, and only one person stated they got the code. We are only giving our opinions to try and help you get it. I myself have not asked for the unlock code for the Atrix, but my response was from previous experience, both of myself and people I know with other phones. If there is in fact a contractual reason why they will not give you the code, that's the first time I have heard of it, but that doesn't mean it's not true.
If you need it unlocked badly and are getting no joy from AT&T, I suggest going the cellunlocker.net route as was previously mentioned by Rayan.
AT&T gave me the same bull****, but said that they'll be able to give the code in August. I told them to screw off, got my code from cellunlocker.net for $20, and am a happy customer of T-Mobile. Sadly this was in March, before the AT&T merger.
samarth1 said:
Sadly this was in March, before the AT&T merger.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They haven't merged yet, and it will be over a year for all the legalities to work themselves out. There are many areas where this could fall through.
My company went through a buyout last year, and it took 1-1/2 years for all the attorneys to balance everything according to all the laws, and satisfy the different governing bodies.
Also, there are all the benefits systems, etc. to bring into line, which takes a huge effort outside of the general legal battles.
I doubt you will see the merger finalized for at least a year, and even then it won't be a done deal until the shareholders all agree on a date when T-Mobile USA will actually become AT&T.
This was on television the other night, and I also found it online just now:
It seems that if the deal does not get FCC approval, then AT&T will pay T-Mobile a $3 billion "breakup fee," give them some AWS spectrum it does not need, and give T-Mob a roaming agreement "at an agreeable price."
With that kind of payout if it doesn't happen, AT&T is going to make sure they take their time, cross all their t's, and dot all their i's so it goes through OK and they don't end up with half a network.
In a nutshell, you don't have to worry until you are another 2 phone generations away! LOL
Okay, thanks for all the information. I'm going to try talking to them in store since I'll be there to replace my phone anyway. Thanks all.
EveryOne Petition the obama administration to: Make Unlocking Cell Phones Legal
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Petition the obama administration to: Make Unlocking Cell Phones Legal.
The Librarian of Congress decided in October 2012 that unlocking of cell phones would be removed from the exceptions to the DMCA.
As of January 26, consumers will no longer be able unlock their phones for use on a different network without carrier permission, even after their contract has expired.
Consumers will be forced to pay exorbitant roaming fees to make calls while traveling abroad. It reduces consumer choice, and decreases the resale value of devices that consumers have paid for in full.
The Librarian noted that carriers are offering more unlocked phones at present, but the great majority of phones sold are still locked.
We ask that the White House ask the Librarian of Congress to rescind this decision, and failing that, champion a bill that makes unlocking permanently legal.
Created: Jan 24, 2013
Issues: Civil Rights and Liberties, Consumer Protections, Technology and Telecommunications
Learn about Petition Thresholds
It's up to you to build support for petitions you care about and gather more signatures. A petition must get 150 signatures in order to be publicly searchable on WhiteHouse.gov.
Over time, we may need to adjust the petition signature thresholds, but we'll always let you know what the thresholds are.
Signatures needed by February 23, 2013 to reach goal of 100,00087,845
Total signatures on this petition12,155.
PLEASE GO SIGN IT MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pet...legal/1g9KhZG7
Thanks
I wouldn't ask that _uck up for a glass of water if I was dying of thirst. And why would you want to expand his fingers of incompetence to include your cell?
Umm, why post this? I don't see that it is a huge deal. All this states is that you can no longer buy a phone from (for example) Verizon and take it to MetroPC or some other carrier and unlock it to use with their service.
Most phones now are global ready, and if you buy a Nexus from Google it is unlocked for you to use as desired.
This is NOT saying that rooting or unlocking your bootloader is illegal. So again, I don't see why it is such a huge deal.
jonathon1289 said:
Umm, why post this? I don't see that it is a huge deal. All this states is that you can no longer buy a phone from (for example) Verizon and take it to MetroPC or some other carrier and unlock it to use with their service.
Most phones now are global ready, and if you buy a Nexus from Google it is unlocked for you to use as desired.
This is NOT saying that rooting or unlocking your bootloader is illegal. So again, I don't see why it is such a huge deal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. You'll do what you want to anyway...or atleast I will lol
Plus I think the president has bigger issues to tackle quite frankly
sent from my Note 2
Kinda thought the same thing. Not really a big deal. It's my impression that this is mainly to curb abuse by people who get the phone, unlock them and resell them. Giving authorities a way to prosecute those that fit that category ( that essentially fraud the subsidy that carriers provide)
Sent from my SCH-I605
Lol, you can always buy a phone from your new carrier...? It's not like they are banning cell phones.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda app-developers app
purged363506 said:
Kinda thought the same thing. Not really a big deal. It's my impression that this is mainly to curb abuse by people who get the phone, unlock them and resell them. Giving authorities a way to prosecute those that fit that category ( that essentially fraud the subsidy that carriers provide)
Sent from my SCH-I605
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a civil/contract matter between the carrier and the person that did that. The problem I have is that the dcma law is being turned on its head to help the carriers with this issue. I support the carriers in getting what is due to them but I object to them abusing the law.
TonikJDK said:
That's a civil/contract matter between the carrier and the person that did that. The problem I have is that the dcma law is being turned on its head to help the carriers with this issue. I support the carriers in getting what is due to them but I object to them abusing the law.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have paid your ETF and/or finished your contract, why would it stop them from unlocking it?
They know they won't keep you by not doing it, and they certainly don't have use of the phone being locked in.
I think things are being blown out of proportion.
I think the real loud ones against this law are just upset that they can no longer default on a contract and sell the device unlocked on another carrier.
OP just wanted to start a political flame thread. Congrats. Mission will be accomplished.
Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk 2
http://m.androidcentral.com/what-you-need-know-abut-cell-phone-unlocking
Sent from my SCH-I605 using xda premium
People that know that they will need an unlocked phone because they will be traveling will either already have one, or go into the store with the intention of buying an unlocked phone for that exact purpose.
I personally don't see the big issue about this new law. If you know you're going to be traveling abroad and need an unlocked phone, then there are several to choose from on most carriers. Plain and simple.
TonikJDK said:
That's a civil/contract matter between the carrier and the person that did that. The problem I have is that the dcma law is being turned on its head to help the carriers with this issue. I support the carriers in getting what is due to them but I object to them abusing the law.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think you realize how hard it is to get new laws enacted. That's why so many existing ones are modified.
You think they are going to go after John Smith that unlocks his phone cause he got a new job traveling? That would be a PR nightmare.
Now Johnny Mule that does it to every major carrier around then sells the phone after to support whoever told him to do it.....Sure.
What about the shops that deal in stolen phones but they are unlocked for other carriers? Contrary to popular opinion, those databases are rubbish and fragmented.
There are quite a few ways that this could help criminal prosecution where right now there is very little.
Sent from my SCH-I605
Starting this weekend it is illegal to unlock new phones to make them available on other carriers. Seriously: It’s embarrassing and unacceptable that we are at the mercy of prosecutorial and judicial discretion to avoid the implementation of draconian laws that could implicate average Americans in a crime subject to up to a $500,000 fine and up to five years in prison.
When did we decide that we wanted a law that could make unlocking your smartphone a criminal offense? The answer is that we never really decided. Instead, Congress passed the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) in 1998 to outlaw technologies that bypass copyright protections. In practice it has terrible, and widely acknowledged, negative consequences that affect consumers and new innovation. The DMCA leaves it up to the Librarian of Congress (LOC) to issue exemptions from the law, exceptions that were recognized to be necessary given the broad language of the statute.
After Saturday it will be illegal to unlock a new smartphone, thereby allowing it to switch carriers. This is a result of the exception to the DMCA lapsing. It was not a mistake, but rather an intentional choice by the Librarian of Congress, that this was no longer fair use and acceptable.
Laws that can place people in jail should be passed by Congress, not by the decree of the Librarian of Congress. We have no way to hold the Librarian of Congress accountable for wildly unfair laws. There are still plenty of crazy laws passed by elected officials, but at least we can then vote them out of office.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Source
For those who need to unlock your phone, you must now do it via your service carrier!
This is horiable
Just a few points I'd like to make that may clear up a few things.
When we get our phones on contract, we pay ~$200 or so for a $800 device. Cell companies subsidize our phones and don't want us buying at their low price then switching. From this point of view I could see it as a breach of contract, nothing more.
Also AFAIK, rooting your device is still perfectly fine. It's taking your ATT phone to, say, T-Mobile that's now illegal.
[If any of this information is incorrect, please post sources. The above is what I have gleaned from reading dozens of threads on this topic.]
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer.
What about people who run this buissness?
Sent from my GT-N7000
If you ask att for a code and say you're going overseas they almost always give it to you
Sent from my GS4 running CM11 Kandy Kane
IconRunner said:
Just a few points I'd like to make that may clear up a few things.
When we get our phones on contract, we pay ~$200 or so for a $800 device. Cell companies subsidize our phones and don't want us buying at their low price then switching. From this point of view I could see it as a breach of contract, nothing more.
Also AFAIK, rooting your device is still perfectly fine. It's taking your ATT phone to, say, T-Mobile that's now illegal.
[If any of this information is incorrect, please post sources. The above is what I have gleaned from reading dozens of threads on this topic.]
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting is still legal. It's actually protected by certain laws.
jthatch12 said:
Rooting is still legal. It's actually protected by certain laws.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting the phone is NOT illegal.
Rooting the tablet is illegal.
---------- Post added at 04:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:15 PM ----------
IconRunner said:
Just a few points I'd like to make that may clear up a few things.
When we get our phones on contract, we pay ~$200 or so for a $800 device. Cell companies subsidize our phones and don't want us buying at their low price then switching. From this point of view I could see it as a breach of contract, nothing more.
Also AFAIK, rooting your device is still perfectly fine. It's taking your ATT phone to, say, T-Mobile that's now illegal.
[If any of this information is incorrect, please post sources. The above is what I have gleaned from reading dozens of threads on this topic.]
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How's about I pay $200 for the phone, sign and stay with provider for 2 years. After 2 years, isn't that my OWN phone? Why can't I unlock it and do whatever I want with it?
I think the title of the thread is poorly chosen.
1) The new law applies to phones purchased after January 26th 2013, hence phones purchased before this date are 100% okay to unlock.
2) Only applicable on US customers.
This law can be completely ignored by clients outside of the USA. (Apparently it is part of the DMCA ruling)
There is an online petition to the white house to stay the order being run atm. (Mods should make that link/this post a sticky for the entire forum.. )
Vote to get yourself heard
spacescreamer said:
I think the title of the thread is poorly chosen.
1) The new law applies to phones purchased after January 26th 2013, hence phones purchased before this date are 100% okay to unlock.
2) Only applicable on US customers.
This law can be completely ignored by clients outside of the USA. (Apparently it is part of the DMCA ruling)
There is an online petition to the white house to stay the order being run atm. (Mods should make that link/this post a sticky for the entire forum.. )
Vote to get yourself heard
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By my understanding, it is illegal to unlock your phone after 01/26 (or 27) regardless you bought the phone a year or 10 years ago, if you unlock it b4 the 26th, it's OK. It's not now.
Agreed with you on your 2)
spacescreamer said:
I think the title of the thread is poorly chosen.
1) The new law applies to phones purchased after January 26th 2013, hence phones purchased before this date are 100% okay to unlock.
2) Only applicable on US customers.
This law can be completely ignored by clients outside of the USA. (Apparently it is part of the DMCA ruling)
There is an online petition to the white house to stay the order being run atm. (Mods should make that link/this post a sticky for the entire forum.. )
Vote to get yourself heard
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got my vote! :good:
votinh said:
By my understanding, it is illegal to unlock your phone after 01/26 (or 27) regardless you bought the phone a year or 10 years ago, if you unlock it b4 the 26th, it's OK. It's not now.
Agreed with you on your 2)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is my understanding also. They can't magically say everyone that has an unlocked phone before 1/26 is now a felon... I'm just glad that I had my phone unlocked before all this **** went down. I'm heading to England in a few months
You can still legally get unlock codes from the carrier (AT&T for us). The law speaks about subsidized phones. It is legal to purchase an unlocked phone, usually for full retail price. Also, it is unclear whether a phone is still legally considered subsidized after your two year contract ends. I can't seem to find anything on that.
creepyncrawly said:
You can still legally get unlock codes from the carrier (AT&T for us). The law speaks about subsidized phones. It is legal to purchase an unlocked phone, usually for full retail price. Also, it is unclear whether a phone is still legally considered subsidized after your two year contract ends. I can't seem to find anything on that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This law is going to get complicated real fast Lol.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda premium
creepyncrawly said:
it is unclear whether a phone is still legally considered subsidized after your two year contract ends. I can't seem to find anything on that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That shouldnt be the case. I mean after the contract ends.. the company would have got the revenue back from the customer.
So that shouldnt stand in the way of getting it unlocked afterwards. If it does.. it ll be a very stupid 'boot hang' for the end customer
Btw, can non American citizens vote on that petition ? And if yes, Will it count ?
creepyncrawly said:
You can still legally get unlock codes from the carrier (AT&T for us). The law speaks about subsidized phones. It is legal to purchase an unlocked phone, usually for full retail price. Also, it is unclear whether a phone is still legally considered subsidized after your two year contract ends. I can't seem to find anything on that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This would be the modern equivalent of holding your phone # hostage. If this is how they interpret the law, it will get smacked down. And as with most stupid laws (DMCA being a big one), the illegality will be truly defined by prosecution/enforcement.
Saurik (the guy who develops Cydia for the iPhone) said it was if you bought the phone after the cutoff date.
I'm more inclined to believe him.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda app-developers app
Although I do not reside in usa, however this doesn't seem fair.
The customer buys a phone on contract. He decodes to use it on other networks. The phone is subsidized by the network operator thus they do not want to loose u.
But let's say I bought the phone on contact and wanted to use it on other networks.. correct me if I'm wrong.. I still need to continue paying the network provider because there is a contract on it. So what's there to loose for the operator? I'm still paying fees as dispicted in the contract.
What if I'm going abroad.. I can't use a local sim card? And forced to use roaming rates?
Sent from my GT-N7100
There are really two issues involved. For an individual to unlock their own phone for their own use, the penalty would be civil only, and the maximum fine is $2,500. On the other hand, to buy phones, unlock them and then resell them would be a criminal offence, with penalty of 500,000 or 5 years, or both for the first offense, 1,000,000 or 10 years for any additional offensees.
Several commentators feel that if the personal use issue comes to court, the court would likely rule that the law is incorrect and be thrown out. But that remains to be seen. At least one commentator stated that if the phone is subsidized, it will be illegal to unlock it regardless of the state of the contract. It will be interesting to see how the law is interpreted over time.
From what I've read, the carriers are more interested in preventing the resale of unlocked phones.
vash_h said:
Although I do not reside in usa, however this doesn't seem fair.
The customer buys a phone on contract. He decodes to use it on other networks. The phone is subsidized by the network operator thus they do not want to loose u.
But let's say I bought the phone on contact and wanted to use it on other networks.. correct me if I'm wrong.. I still need to continue paying the network provider because there is a contract on it. So what's there to loose for the operator? I'm still paying fees as dispicted in the contract.
What if I'm going abroad.. I can't use a local sim card? And forced to use roaming rates?
Sent from my GT-N7100
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you ask the carrier for an unlock code using say Skype they mostly say yes
Sent from my GS4 running CM11 Kandy Kane
122ninjas said:
If you ask att for a code and say you're going overseas they almost always give it to you
Sent from my GS4 running CM11 Kandy Kane
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not always. They refused to give me a code for my Aria on three separate occasions. Seems to be dependent on the phone. Never bothered to call them for the S2, I'll unlock it with an app when I go to Europe or Asia next...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
tedkunich said:
Not always. They refused to give me a code for my Aria on three separate occasions. Seems to be dependent on the phone. Never bothered to call them for the S2, I'll unlock it with an app when I go to Europe or Asia next...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No harm in asking. I see success stories all the time
Sent from my GS4 running CM11 Kandy Kane
Hey guys, I just wanted to put y'all up on something. I found this seller on Ebay that sells unlock codes for around $3.50 US. I bought a code yesterday and he sent it out to me early this morning. He is a UK seller. To enter in the unlock code, all you have to do is put in your SIM that is locked, go to the dialer, type in 2945#*769# instead of the other code that he gives you. Then you go on the first option and type in the code (on the first line) that he gives you.
I just wanted to put y'all up on this so y'all could take advantage of this! $3.50 to get your phone unlocked? Sold! I am one happy customer. I hope this is the right section to put it on. :/
http://www.ebay.com/itm/All-LG-Unlo...UK_Mobiles_Accessories_RL&hash=item4d0bfb8e71
I actually got mine from this ad. A bit cheaper (pennies to some), and response was within 24 hours. Clear instructions, etc.
Keep in mind, this includes a link to Paypal, and doesn't actually register as a purchase on eBay.
Regardless, my L9 is unlocked, so I'm plenty happy.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Unlock-code...337?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43b7cb8d49
Heard if you have had the phone more than sixty days you call call LG and get the code for free
Sent from my LG-P769 using xda app-developers app
queboy89 said:
I actually got mine from this ad. A bit cheaper (pennies to some), and response was within 24 hours. Clear instructions, etc.
Keep in mind, this includes a link to Paypal, and doesn't actually register as a purchase on eBay.
Regardless, my L9 is unlocked, so I'm plenty happy.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Unlock-code...337?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43b7cb8d49
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omgbossis21 said:
Heard if you have had the phone more than sixty days you call call LG and get the code for free
Sent from my LG-P769 using xda app-developers app
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@queboy89 legit! Thanks for posting that! It's good to have your phone unlocked, just in case something ever happens and you need to for example, change carriers or move out of the country.
@omgbossis21 hmm. really? I thought manufacturers don't give codes out anymore? That's what I heard from HTC, so I might be wrong. I had to pay $10 for my Sensation code.
DJ Scooby Doo said:
@queboy89 legit! Thanks for posting that! It's good to have your phone unlocked, just in case something ever happens and you need to for example, change carriers or move out of the country.
@omgbossis21 hmm. really? I thought manufacturers don't give codes out anymore? That's what I heard from HTC, so I might be wrong. I had to pay $10 for my Sensation code.
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Quick update that I didn't mention: T-Mobile will indeed provide SIM unlock codes, provided the device was purchased from a T-Mobile authorized dealer with a valid receipt. I had gotten mine in the Amazon deal, so it wasn't eligible.
queboy89 said:
Quick update that I didn't mention: T-Mobile will indeed provide SIM unlock codes, provided the device was purchased from a T-Mobile authorized dealer with a valid receipt. I had gotten mine in the Amazon deal, so it wasn't eligible.
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So they (tmobile ) changed the way of do things ?
they provided me with the unlock code of a samsung exibith 4g like a year ago, and they havent asked me for any receipt whatsoever
the only constraint was that you need to have a good standing account of at least 90 days active, so they check that with your phonw # in their database and then
they send the request to the "unlocking" department, you get the code via email
in around 24hrs and it worked like a charm for me, now i am planning to get the L9, the 3.5 screen is getting too small as i am getting older :silly:
maxolini said:
So they (tmobile ) changed the way of do things ?
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Bah, sometimes, I need to be careful with my words. I meant authorized dealer as in the actual T-Mobile stores. Amazon is certainly an authorized dealer, but I was ineligible in getting the SIM unlock code from T-Mobile. You have to purchase directly from T-Mobile's brick and mortar stores or website.
I believe that in your case, it would be dependent on whether you get the phone on contract or not. Because the L9 is sold both as a prepaid phone and on contract, there are different rules regarding SIM unlocks. The rules you stated are for the phone if you re-sign your contract and get the phone at the subsidized price. If you choose to purchase the phone outright, whether through the prepaid plan package or for a postpaid plan, then T-Mobile should and will provide the code immediately. It's currently $240 for the phone outright from T-Mobile's website, free if you sign a 2 year agreement, and $179 from Amazon. It's possible the stores are selling the same Amazon prepaid package for a lower price than the outright price listed on the T-Mobile website.
They probably didn't ask you for your receipt because you got your phone as part of a contract renewal/signing, and on a federally subsidized discount. In that case, they prefer to know that you aren't jumping ship from your contract before fully paying for your phone.
Sorry for any confusion I may have caused!
queboy89 said:
Bah, sometimes, I need to be careful with my words. I meant authorized dealer as in the actual T-Mobile stores. Amazon is certainly an authorized dealer, but I was ineligible in getting the SIM unlock code from T-Mobile. You have to purchase directly from T-Mobile's brick and mortar stores or website.
I believe that in your case, it would be dependent on whether you get the phone on contract or not. Because the L9 is sold both as a prepaid phone and on contract, there are different rules regarding SIM unlocks. The rules you stated are for the phone if you re-sign your contract and get the phone at the subsidized price. If you choose to purchase the phone outright, whether through the prepaid plan package or for a postpaid plan, then T-Mobile should and will provide the code immediately. It's currently $240 for the phone outright from T-Mobile's website, free if you sign a 2 year agreement, and $179 from Amazon. It's possible the stores are selling the same Amazon prepaid package for a lower price than the outright price listed on the T-Mobile website.
They probably didn't ask you for your receipt because you got your phone as part of a contract renewal/signing, and on a federally subsidized discount. In that case, they prefer to know that you aren't jumping ship from your contract before fully paying for your phone.
Sorry for any confusion I may have caused!
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No worries man,
i get my exhibit 4g at bestbuy, and dont had any problems when i called tmobile
, i got mine running CM10.1 much better than stock ROM, but still the exhibith is a low end single core cell
, i want the L9 soon !!
I might be a good idea to specify "carrier unlock" in the subject line (not to be confused with "bootloader unlock").
DJ Scooby Doo said:
Hey guys, I just wanted to put y'all up on something. I found this seller on Ebay that sells unlock codes for around $3.50 US. I bought a code yesterday and he sent it out to me early this morning. He is a UK seller. To enter in the unlock code, all you have to do is put in your SIM that is locked, go to the dialer, type in 2945#*769# instead of the other code that he gives you. Then you go on the first option and type in the code (on the first line) that he gives you.
I just wanted to put y'all up on this so y'all could take advantage of this! $3.50 to get your phone unlocked? Sold! I am one happy customer. I hope this is the right section to put it on. :/
http://www.ebay.com/itm/All-LG-Unlo...UK_Mobiles_Accessories_RL&hash=item4d0bfb8e71
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jhedfors said:
I might be a good idea to specify "carrier unlock" in the subject line (not to be confused with "bootloader unlock").
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Agree :thumbup:
Sent from my LGMS769 using xda app-developers app
jhedfors said:
I might be a good idea to specify "carrier unlock" in the subject line (not to be confused with "bootloader unlock").
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LOL whoops, my bad bro. Thanks for the advice!
T-Mobile will give you the code for free as long as you had service for 40days. If they have the code on hand you receive it via email in 24hours. Otherwise within 48days. Awaiting my code
Sent from my LG-P769 using xda app-developers app
Just got my code within the 24hours and am now sum unlocked!
Sent from my LG-P769 using xda app-developers app
I bought one and will post my results. Thanks OP.
Got my code within a few hours. Entered it using the instructions in the OP. (Did not follow the instructions in the sellers email.) It showed it as unlocked. Rebooted and still appears to be unlocked. I don't have a valid micro SIM to test it on another network but it seems to be unlocked. Will report back again after trying a friends micro SIM.
For a few dollars you can't go wrong on this. Thanks OP!
queboy89 said:
I actually got mine from this ad. A bit cheaper (pennies to some), and response was within 24 hours. Clear instructions, etc.
Keep in mind, this includes a link to Paypal, and doesn't actually register as a purchase on eBay.
Regardless, my L9 is unlocked, so I'm plenty happy.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Unlock-code...337?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43b7cb8d49
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I got an LG Optimus L9 P769 locked to T-Mobile USA with the mentioned link and got the unlock code in 20mins. Quite cheap and very effective..
:good::good::good::good:
.........................................................................
Get the code for free.
omgbossis21 said:
Heard if you have had the phone more than sixty days you call call LG and get the code for free
Sent from my LG-P769 using xda app-developers app
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That is sort of what I was going to say, everyone should be able to get the code for free from their carrier. The problem is that some have rules of not giving up the code until after contract or other restrictions.
:highfive:
I own and I mean own a OnePlus Nord N10 5G on a T Mobile carrier. It's a decent phone I think, but the folks at T Mobile in the US apparently have a problem unlocking devices even though you own them. I spent over two hours on the phone and visited the store where I bought it from only to have wasted a ton of time. Can anyone tell me how to get around this? I want to root and flash my rom to global so I can, well you know why.. I have all my documentation to prove my device is legit I just need help. OnePlus Nord N10 5G
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Hint: Add OnePlus Nord N10 5G to this thread's title thus mainly owners of such a device get addressed.
jwoegerbauer said:
Hint: Add OnePlus Nord N10 5G to this thread's title thus mainly owners of such a device get addressed.
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Thanks! I'm new to this world and have a ton to learn.
You do not have any pending payment. Then tmobile must unlock your phone. You can use their app. T
You can call to customer care and ask for unlock code.
When you add other sim card, it is ask for code?
Mobilelearner said:
You do not have any pending payment. Then tmobile must unlock your phone. You can use their app. T
You can call to customer care and ask for unlock code.
When you add other sim card, it is ask for code?
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No, I don't owe money on the device, I paid cash at the carrier store. Apparently when you but a carrier phone from T-Mobile they require you to use it in network for 40 days before they will send you a token. To me this is a bunch of crap. I haven't put a new sim in as I am still using this carrier for service. It's just aggravating that this company wants so much control. Point being; it's MY PHONE!! I can get them to send my token for OnePlus in a month from now, so if there is a way I can get around that I am all ears. OnePlus Nord N10 5G T-Mobile
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40 days for locked mobile to unlock. You have no pending money. You can ask for unlock code. You can temporary unlock for 15 days using their apps.
I called them again today, spent an hour to hear the lady say that it wasn't their policy but the FCC? I don't know what the hell is going on.
i have a 300 dollar phone that is paid for and no obligations to them and yet because my ignorant American ass go at carrier based phone I now have to wait . If I could just wax the thing or trade it at this point I would.
Total BS
Spidermonkeyj75 said:
I called them again today, spent an hour to hear the lady say that it wasn't their policy but the FCC? I don't know what the hell is going on.
i have a 300 dollar phone that is paid for and no obligations to them and yet because my ignorant American ass go at carrier based phone I now have to wait . If I could just wax the thing or trade it at this point I would.
Total BS
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no you dont lol
complain on facebook or dm me and ill give you corprats number they over ride aanyhting
I agree, you really did get shafted paying cash for a jailed phone mate. Why did you buy from t-mobile instead of ordering an unlocked phone from oneplus website?
You could have had verizon stick a sim in it immediately instead of getting forcibly bent over by t-mobile. You definitely have my sympathy. That really blows.
To be fair to T-Mobile, this has been their policy for years, and is publicly visible. It only would have required a little reading to discover. It's not really their fault if you didn't do your due diligence.
swbf2lord said:
To be fair to T-Mobile, this has been their policy for years, and is publicly visible. It only would have required a little reading to discover. It's not really their fault if you didn't do your due diligence.
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Lol at being fair to a major corporation that's apart of an oligopoly. Who do you think drafted the laws and rules that they hide behind? They ****ing did. I mean seriously bro... How much did they pay you to be shillin'? LMAO fair to T-Mobile... That's like saying "Now to be fair to the Nazis...". GTFOoH.
Just threaten them with false advertisement if they're playing the FCC game.
The ability to unlock your phone and when is in their fine print. Like on tv where everyone can see it, with a magnifying glass.
Pipedream420 said:
Lol at being fair to a major corporation that's apart of an oligopoly. Who do you think drafted the laws and rules that they hide behind? They ****ing did. I mean seriously bro... How much did they pay you to be shillin'? LMAO fair to T-Mobile... That's like saying "Now to be fair to the Nazis...". GTFOoH.
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Can we be adults here? Or will we devolve to childish mud-slinging?
el80ne said:
I agree, you really did get shafted paying cash for a jailed phone mate. Why did you buy from t-mobile instead of ordering an unlocked phone from oneplus website?
You could have had verizon stick a sim in it immediately instead of getting forcibly bent over by t-mobile. You definitely have my sympathy. That really blows.
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I was certainly ignorant. This is the cherry popper device. I had never attempted nor knew about modding at all. Lesson learned.
If you paid full price for the phone, then T-Mobile has to unlock it for you. Try to contact their T-force support on Twitter.
I have one I got from Metro by T-Mobile for $40 as a port-in deal, but they have a different unlock policy, after 6 months you can unlock it.
Oh I filed a FCC complaint and TMobile super high up ended up unlocking every TMobile phone I needed unlocked. Even my woman's phone which she just got lol
For anybody currently reading through this post, and are considering purchasing a new device at full price...
Let this be a lesson to always ALWAYS look for an unlocked variant if you intend to fully own the device without carrier lock qualms. Unfortunately buying any device direct from a carrier store will inevitably contain the fine print we so often skim through right before handing them that cash money moolah. Buy unlocked if possible, and if not then go for the carrier variant you intend to stick with. Avoid this hoedown of a waiting for the ****hawks to swoop down to free you simply because you didn't do your due diligence. I mean, you don't buy an appliance that runs on 240v only to find you won't be able to run it in the US grid and complain to the seller for selling you a locked device that you now fully own, right? There's a certain degree of basic consumer knowledge required especially for a consumer who intends to modify the device through advanced technical methods, right?
mario0318 said:
For anybody currently reading through this post, and are considering purchasing a new device at full price...
Let this be a lesson to always ALWAYS look for an unlocked variant if you intend to fully own the device without carrier lock qualms. Unfortunately buying any device direct from a carrier store will inevitably contain the fine print we so often skim through right before handing them that cash money moolah. Buy unlocked if possible, and if not then go for the carrier variant you intend to stick with. Avoid this hoedown of a waiting for the ****hawks to swoop down to free you simply because you didn't do your due diligence. I mean, you don't buy an appliance that runs on 240v only to find you won't be able to run it in the US grid and complain to the seller for selling you a locked device that you now fully own, right? There's a certain degree of basic consumer knowledge required especially for a consumer who intends to modify the device through advanced technical methods, right?
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Kinda. Up until maybe three months in, none of us were really clear about carrier variants. So a lot of people did buy expecting the usual metro crap, but not the TMobile fine print.