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PSA: 60 unlock policy may come to an end on Verizon and its MVNO
January 12, 2026 at
01:50 PM
Deal Details
https://www.reuters.com/business/...026-01-12/
"The FCC said Verizon is the only major provider that the FCC requires to unlock its mobile phones 60 days after activation, which is earlier than standard industry practice. Verizon said that it "saw a spike in fraud of approximately 55% after TracFone moved from its earlier policy of a one-year lock to Verizon's 60-day lock" as a condition of the FCC's approval of the transaction.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr said that sophisticated criminal networks have exploited the FCC's handset unlocking policies to carry out criminal acts—including drug running and human smuggling."
So FCC is hinting that Verizon no need to do the 60 day unlock policy anymore. It may mean that the currently 60-day unlock policy applied by Verizon, Total Wireless and some Tracfone may all end. Go get a Total wireless phone deal while it's still available.
"The FCC said Verizon is the only major provider that the FCC requires to unlock its mobile phones 60 days after activation, which is earlier than standard industry practice. Verizon said that it "saw a spike in fraud of approximately 55% after TracFone moved from its earlier policy of a one-year lock to Verizon's 60-day lock" as a condition of the FCC's approval of the transaction.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr said that sophisticated criminal networks have exploited the FCC's handset unlocking policies to carry out criminal acts—including drug running and human smuggling."
So FCC is hinting that Verizon no need to do the 60 day unlock policy anymore. It may mean that the currently 60-day unlock policy applied by Verizon, Total Wireless and some Tracfone may all end. Go get a Total wireless phone deal while it's still available.
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https://arstechnica.com/tech-poli...-carriers/
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Verizon is no longer required to unlock the devices after 60 days of paid service as per the below notice:
https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-...king-rules
https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-acts-bring-more-uniform-approach-handset-unlocking-rules [fcc.gov]
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