Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

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

U.S. does allow this.

You can buy unlocked phones from Apple. Just pay full price. You can buy from ATT and they will unlock it. And even if you get one of those payment plans and leave the carrier, you just pay it off and they will unlock it.

Am I missing something here?
 
nostresshere said:
U.S. does allow this.

You can buy unlocked phones from Apple. Just pay full price. You can buy from ATT and they will unlock it. And even if you get one of those payment plans and leave the carrier, you just pay it off and they will unlock it.

Am I missing something here?
Click to expand...

Yes, you're missing the part where the consumer wont need to do anything and ask no carrier to unlock their device.
They will all be unlocked to begin with and with no hoops to jump.
 
Last edited:
b0fh666 said:
and all @ full price, no discounts. yay.
Click to expand...

On that article I dont see them mentioning that all Canadian carrier will stop offering contracts because of this change.
Unless you have another link that states such change?
But either way carriers do not give you anything for free, you pay for that device one one way or another over the time of your 2 or 3 year contract.
So if you thought you're getting freebies before by the wireless companies think again.
You'll get a cheaper monthly bill now instead of paying more per month by including a discounted iPhone.
 
probably yes, no freebies indeed.

it's called choice... carriers choose to sell the phones at a 'discount' and get repaid over the monthly bills. some customers also choose to buy the phones like this, locked to the carrier for X months, but cheaper up front.

then the almighty government steps in to protect its subjects (opsie, citizens) and removes the choice. lovely.

why would a carrier keep that scheme if the customer can simply bail out to another carrier right away? or worse, even if they bite the bullet and sell the phones at a discount anyway, wouldn't that be a problem for apple itself, which sells at full price? why would anyone buy from apple if att sells unlocked phones for less?

all sorts of problems arise when the govt steps into where it does not belong. same thing happened down here years ago, killed the 'cheap contract phone market' real quick.
 
b0fh666 said:
probably yes, no freebies indeed.

it's called choice... carriers choose to sell the phones at a 'discount' and get repaid over the monthly bills. some customers also choose to buy the phones like this, locked to the carrier for X months, but cheaper up front.

then the almighty government steps in to protect its subjects (opsie, citizens) and removes the choice. lovely.

why would a carrier keep that scheme if the customer can simply bail out to another carrier right away? or worse, even if they bite the bullet and sell the phones at a discount anyway, wouldn't that be a problem for apple itself, which sells at full price? why would anyone buy from apple if att sells unlocked phones for less?

all sorts of problems arise when the govt steps into where it does not belong. same thing happened down here years ago, killed the 'cheap contract phone market' real quick.
Click to expand...

Lol :D
Like you said it's choice.
If the carriers do not want to offer contracts then they don't have to.
If the customer bails out without paying they have ways to get their money. You know that right?
Apple selling full price unlocked iPhones has nothing to do if a carrier offers the device for less by signing a contact agreement.
I don't think you understand how the free market works.
You're the only one that thinks that having all devices unlocked it's a bad thing and you feel bad for the poor wireless companies :D
 
lol x2

as I said, this happened in my country like 5 years ago. maybe canada is so special and the result will be different. not.
 
I visited Vancouver and was amazed that I could not buy a damn SIM card! No one would sell me one! I was so pissed. One place said that I had to 'prove citizenship'! I mean, I'd like to be a Canadian citizen because international type people relax more around Canadians, but to have to change just to get a SIM chip? WTF!?!?!

Is that 'relaxed' too?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Applejuiced
Applejuiced said:
...If the customer bails out without paying they have ways to get their money. You know that right?...
Click to expand...

From most upstanding citizens, yes. More way too many people that have no problem walking away from a bill, it is another story. Yes Virginia - there are people that feel they do not have to honor a contract and do not pay.

(not defending or promoting LOCKING - but it was an good way for carriers to hold onto a customer through their contract)
 
b0fh666 said:
lol x2

as I said, this happened in my country like 5 years ago. maybe canada is so special and the result will be different. not.
Click to expand...

Lol :D
Yes I am sure it will ruin Canada like it did your country 5 years ago.
[doublepost=1498172099][/doublepost]
nostresshere said:
From most upstanding citizens, yes. More way too many people that have no problem walking away from a bill, it is another story. Yes Virginia - there are people that feel they do not have to honor a contract and do not pay.

(not defending or promoting LOCKING - but it was an good way for carriers to hold onto a customer through their contract)
Click to expand...

They can still get their money one way or another.
And if one decides to ruin their credit and go through court and collection precedings over a cellphone then that's on them. They will not be able to to stick it to another company for another 7 years;)
 
nostresshere said:
From most upstanding citizens, yes. More way too many people that have no problem walking away from a bill, it is another story. Yes Virginia - there are people that feel they do not have to honor a contract and do not pay.

(not defending or promoting LOCKING - but it was an good way for carriers to hold onto a customer through their contract)
Click to expand...
b0fh666 said:
lol x2

as I said, this happened in my country like 5 years ago. maybe canada is so special and the result will be different. not.
Click to expand...

It comes down to the credit system used in the country. If you live in a crappy country with a poor credit system or tons of fraud like b0fh666 does, then carriers should lock the phones.

This is no different from mortgages or auto loans. You could get a loan for a new car, strip it, or sell it overseas and never pay the loan back. Fortunately in Canada, the default rate is very low on homes and autos. If you want to default on phone bills, be prepared for a massive hit to your credit rating.

The only benefit to a locked phone is for the carrier.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Applejuiced
PinkyMacGodess said:
I visited Vancouver and was amazed that I could not buy a damn SIM card! No one would sell me one! I was so pissed. One place said that I had to 'prove citizenship'! I mean, I'd like to be a Canadian citizen because international type people relax more around Canadians, but to have to change just to get a SIM chip? WTF!?!?!

Is that 'relaxed' too?
Click to expand...

You could, just need to know where to look:
https://www.speakout7eleven.ca
https://mobility.petro-canada.ca/
 
Last edited:
re: Buying SIM card.

You know how 17 years olds hang around outside the liquor store asking adults to get them some beer?

Turn it around. Stand around a phone store and ask a Canadian 17 year old to buy you a sim card. LOL!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Givmeabrek
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back