Phone unlocking Ban

Already signed it and posted to FB.

5 days left and 25K signatures still needed.

Its really cutting it close. I'm surprised this is not getting much attention.

Gonna be close https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/...l/1g9KhZG7

Engadget chiming in on this fiasco.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/2...ne-unlock/

Not very encouraging article, but at least the petition reached the 100K signatures.
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/...l/1g9KhZG7

what happens if you buy a phone locked to att and you're using it on t-mobile?
are you restricted by the original contract terms the att phone was purchased under?

Quote from fyu : what happens if you buy a phone locked to att and you're using it on t-mobile? are you restricted by the original contract terms the att phone was purchased under?

I would think that after fulfilling your contract terms, you should be able to use that anywhere freely....or even after paying the ETF..

but then again the catch is, if you bought it way way before the Jan 26 purchase date...

Quote from medbuyer : I would think that after fulfilling your contract terms, you should be able to use that anywhere freely....or even after paying the ETF.. but then again the catch is, if you bought it way way before the Jan 26 purchase date...

isnt the ban unlocking for people trying to unlock during contract times? ie for international use? I always thought ATT will unlock after the contract is over...

Quote from Albort : isnt the ban unlocking for people trying to unlock during contract times? ie for international use? I always thought ATT will unlock after the contract is over...

No, its now illegal for you to unlock your own phone even out of contract. Now its up to ATT to agree to unlock the phone. Maybe they will or maybe they won't.

Quote from Albort : isnt the ban unlocking for people trying to unlock during contract times? ie for international use? I always thought ATT will unlock after the contract is over...

from what I understood....it is for people who are still in contract who bought their phones after January 26, 2013. so, I guess, if you are still in contract BUT bought the phone from them way way back last year or more, OR paid the ETF to get out of the contract and pay for the "subsidy" of the phone but are still with ATT, then it shouldn't be illegal...correct me if I am wrong...

ATT will not ALWAYS unlock it after your contract. you have to request it..and even if you do, they'll still look up your info, contract, etc...this is harder for people who bought iphones from, people who offloaded their units, units sold on ebay by individuals, units on CL and any other marketplace that really doesn't concern ATT anymore...

I think the biggest reason is that the iPhones have a BIG market such that one should be able to use in any service provider in any country.

Quote from repitall : No, its now illegal for you to unlock your own phone even out of contract. Now its up to ATT to agree to unlock the phone. Maybe they will or maybe they won't.

if you bought it after Jan 26, then yes...IF NOT, then it shouldn't be.

Quote from medbuyer : if you bought it after Jan 26, then yes...IF NOT, then it shouldn't be.

Yes that should be correct.

Quote from repitall : No, its now illegal for you to unlock your own phone even out of contract. Now its up to ATT to agree to unlock the phone. Maybe they will or maybe they won't.

interesting. so this "techically" kills the resale value of ATT phones within the US?

Quote from fyu : interesting. so this "techically" kills the resale value of ATT phones within the US?

i don't think it will kill it...but hey, what's stopping one from buying it and unlocking it later somewhere...

you'd be surprised what these units would fetch in international markets...

unlocked = higher resale value

locked = same as retail or current market value or lower...