Canada: Unlock fees banned - All new phones must be sold unlocked & more...

[G.McGilli]

http://www.theprovince.com/technology/more+unlocking+fees+says+regulator/13449701/story.html
Cellphone companies will soon no longer be allowed to charge customers to unlock their devices, Canada's telecom regulator said Thursday as it unveiled sweeping changes to the wireless code of conduct.

The new code from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission also says as of Dec. 1, all newly purchased devices must be sold unlocked — one of several other changes aimed at giving people more control over their wireless services.

The updated code, which originally came into effect in 2013, now stipulates:

— Unsatisfied customers will be able to cancel contracts within 15 days, as long as returned devices are in near-new condition and customers haven't used more than half of their monthly usage.

— Only the wireless account holder on family or shared plans can consent to overage and roaming charges, unless others on the plan are expressly authorized to approve the costs.

— Data caps be tied to single accounts, no matter how many devices are listed on a shared plan.

— Wireless service providers cannot unilaterally change the key terms of a contract with a customer for voice, text or data services.

The changes come six months after the regulator heard from consumer groups who accused some cellphone companies of violating the code, either passively or actively, and called for the rules to be tightened and enforced.

 

[ganja24]

Good news! Carrier’s should have no control on my device, paying ransom fees to unlock is fraud if I own the device.

 

[CTHarrryH]

Not going to happen in the US - the push here is more power to companies and none for the consumer. Hope I'm wrong but doubt it.

 

[Moneoa]

Not going to happen in the US - the push here is more power to companies and none for the consumer. Hope I'm wrong but doubt it.

The only reason why its happening up here is because the Government stepped in and regulated it. You guys still have cheaper prices and more choices. Here we have 7 providers with 6 being owned by three companies (2 per company) and the 7th owned by a cable company but only available in major cities.

 

[ganja24]

In US you can get unlimited data plans and have a lot of competition which is why probably not many people unlock there phones. But here we got carriers that want ransom money to unlock if we try to leave and get less data with high prices. Price differences for every province! I am happy the government is stepping in.

 

[G.McGilli]

Good news for anyone buying an iPhone from any of the major carriers here. I've always bought mine direct from Apple - specifically to get the unlocked version - but now I might take advantage of the subsidized prices in the future... no reason not to if they will be unlocked...

 

[KeanosMagicHat]

All phones sold unlocked . . . . . I like that.

 

[Applejuiced]

That's a great move.
Wish the US would do something similar.
All this lock and unlock nonsense benefits the wireless companies.
Not the consumer.
They want you to be buying separate phones each time you switch networks.

 

[shyam09]

Yep wish the US did something like this as well.

 

[Debel]

Yep wish the US did something like this as well.

All Verizon phones are factory unlocked. Since like note 2/3

 

[Applejuiced]

All Verizon phones are factory unlocked. Since like note 2/3

Yeah would be nice if it was like that for all US carriers.

 

[Debel]

Yeah would be nice if it was like that for all US carriers.

Att will as long as your not negative. Sprint yeah never.
Tmo eh

 

[Applejuiced]

Att will as long as your not negative. Sprint yeah never.
Tmo eh

AT&T will not unlock it and made me jump through 100 hoops and even after I paid everything off and my final bill I had to get a government agency after them to unlock it.
Sprint Never.
Tmobile very hard, if you're on EIP they will make you wait till the agreement is completely satisfied.
Many of mvno's like boost, metropcs, virgin mobile, cricket and dozens of other smaller ones will not bother unlocking at all.
Would be great if devices were all unlocked without having to chase the carrier at all or try to submit a request.

 

[Reno Raines]

T mobile for me was always easy after 40 days of service. What I do not like though is if I buy a phone outright I should be able to get it unlocked immediately and not have to wait. What I kind of understand but not necessarily agree with is if a phone is on EIP having to wait until it is paid off. I would love a world though where all phones are unlocked and the consumer is free to do with their phone what they want. I agree MNVO's are absolutely horrid at unlocking phones. I called straight talk before and the first question I was asked if I was requesting the unlock in order to jump ship. The way I see it is if I meet their company requirements for an unlock then it should be automatic with no hassle.

 

[weckart]

All phones sold unlocked . . . . . I like that.

Do the new regulations also prevent locking if you change to another provider after buying. I heard that at least one (ATT?) in the states would lock down even Apple bought iPhones if you took a contract out with them.

 

[Applejuiced]

Do the new regulations also prevent locking if you change to another provider after buying. I heard that at least one (ATT?) in the states would lock down even Apple bought iPhones if you took a contract out with them.

No carrier can lock a factory unlocked device.
And AT&T doesn't even offer contracts any more, just financing plans where you pay over time for your phone inside your monthly phone bill.
So its a no.

 

[simonmet]

Been that way for years in Australia too. Since about iPhone 5 I think.

All iPhone 5 models and newer obtained as a part of a plan are already unlocked. You can insert another mobile provider’s SIM card. (Model already unlocked include the iPhone 5, 5c, 5s, 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7 and 7 Plus models.)

Others can be unlocked any time for free.

 

[slippery-pete]

My cousin Art will be so happy. He lives in Canada

 

[b0fh666]

yay, more expensive phones 4all!

 

[Applejuiced]

yay, more expensive phones 4all!

I dont think the unlock policy will make Apple retail their iphones any more than the current prices.

 

[b0fh666]

I dont think the unlock policy will make Apple retail their iphones any more than the current prices.

locked phones are subsidized by the carriers. that's why they lock them into the carrier for starters. if you can't lock, why sell phones at a loss?

 

[Applejuiced]

locked phones are subsidized by the carriers. that's why they lock them into the carrier for starters. if you can't lock, why sell phones at a loss?

I know, we're still dealing with the same system somewhat here in the US. Trust me they dont sell phones at a loss, they make up for it elsewhere. Wireless providers make billions in profits each year, dont worry about their bank roll.
Even though the phone is subsidized the liability is on the customer to either pay the ETF or the remaining balance of the phone if they decide to disconnect service.
They already have contracts in place to cover themselves financially and collection agencies to go after you if you owe them money. They're not just handing out phones for free.

 

[iMi]

Not going to happen in the US - the push here is more power to companies and none for the consumer. Hope I'm wrong but doubt it.

That's the Republican stand, so yes... I would expect more anti-consumer and pro-corporate laws to be passed in the short term. Things may start changing again in 2018.

 

[Altis]

locked phones are subsidized by the carriers. that's why they lock them into the carrier for starters. if you can't lock, why sell phones at a loss?

I'd have no real problem if the phone was locked for the duration of the contract, but it should automatically be unlocked when the contract is done (either by completing the term or cancelling/buying-out the contract).

That said, Canada has some of the highest cellular rates.
[doublepost=1498154310][/doublepost]

Good news! Carrier’s should have no control on my device, paying ransom fees to unlock is fraud if I own the device.

Indeed. Now if only Apple felt the same way about those permanent and often forced iOS updates that can ruin your device.

 

[JohnApples]

AT&T will not unlock it and made me jump through 100 hoops and even after I paid everything off and my final bill I had to get a government agency after them to unlock it.
Sprint Never.
Tmobile very hard, if you're on EIP they will make you wait till the agreement is completely satisfied.
Many of mvno's like boost, metropcs, virgin mobile, cricket and dozens of other smaller ones will not bother unlocking at all.
Would be great if devices were all unlocked without having to chase the carrier at all or try to submit a request.

Sprint never? I hate them as much as the next guy but I was able to have mine unlocked relatively easy after buying out my contract. Granted, they wanted me to wait for like 2 weeks before doing so, but after remaining adamant they agreed to unlock it.