US Phones: Locked No More

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Image source: http://goo.gl/K4ODTW

In a move welcomed by many consumers, US President Barack Obama has finally approved the new cellphone unlocking law.

Image source: http://goo.gl/K4ODTW
Image source: http://goo.gl/K4ODTW

This law, dubbed as the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act, now allows users to switch to carriers of their choice. This newly enacted law repeals last year’s decision from the Library of Congress which made the unlocking of cellular phones illegal.

“A rare trifecta: A win for American consumers, a win for wireless competition, and an example of democracy at its best – bipartisan congressional action in direct response to a call to action from the American people,” the White House said.

However, people planning to unlock many devices for the purpose of resale should be warned. Although consumers can now switch carriers or use local SIM cards when travelling overseas, the law prohibits “bulk unlocking”. It specifies that:

Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to permit the unlocking of wireless handsets or other wireless devices, for the purpose of bulk resale.