Verizon No Longer Plans to Sell Unlocked iPhones

[aristobrat]

Are they allowed to even do this? When they won the 700mhz spectrum in 2008 the FCC ruled that e)Handset locking prohibited. No licensee may disable features on handsets it provides to customers, to the extent such features are compliant with the licensee's standards pursuant to paragraph (b)of this section, nor configure handsets it provides to prohibit use of such handsets on other providers' networks.

From the article: "This change does not impact the spirit of that agreement as it is designed to deter theft by those who engage in identity theft or other fraud," said a spokeswoman for Verizon. "It is not inconsistent with our obligations under the C block."

Sounds like they're betting that since this is a "temporary lock", the FCC won't have any problems with it. Verizon just haven't defined how long "temporary" is.

 

[Will.O.Bie]

The FCC rules the following:

e)Handset locking prohibited. No licensee may disable features on handsets it provides to customers, to the extent such features are compliant with the licensee’s standards pursuant to paragraph (b)of this section, nor configure handsets it provides to prohibit use of such handsets on other providers’ networks.

Verizon as always with it's greediness.

And AT&T
And Sprint
And T-Mobile
And MetroPCS

Read the article, Verizon is the last cell company to sell unlocked phones...

Not defending Verizon at all but your comment doesn't make sense.

 

[coolbreeze]

That's shady of them. Surprised they are allowed to do this with the 700mHz block FCC rule.

Sneaky snakes, using "theft prevention" as the reason lol. It's really "we want lots of revenue" so just be straight with us, Verizon.

 

[mrbrown]

And AT&T
And Sprint
And T-Mobile
And MetroPCS

Read the article, Verizon is the last cell company to sell unlocked phones...

Not defending Verizon at all but your comment doesn't make sense.

He was quoting the CFR (Code of Federal Regulation) that requires Verizon to have all of the handsets unlocked in exchange for spectrum granted to them by the FCC a couple of years ago. I posit that he was trying to say that this proposal violates that particular CFR.

 

[Zaren]

So they think a criminal is going to check the phone's network status before stealing it? "Aw, man, this one's still locked to Verizon... here you go, ma'am, no hard feelings"? That sort of thing?

 

[AustinIllini]

Hate to side with Verizon on this, but this makes sense.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

With any carrier, just call and tell them you're about to travel to another country. They'll unlock it free.

Not sure why anyone would buy from the carrier anyways. Get it direct from Apple and get it unlocked from the start.

 

[noobinator]

Every phone sold should be unlocked IMO. Because I said so.

 

[vipergts2207]

The hatred toward Verizon is mainly due to jealousy of not being able to afford the service costs. Jealousy usually triggers the hatred. Just ignore the hatred comments as they are only trolls. Fortunate for us for being able to afford Verizon and free from jealousy any hatred or trolling.

I love posts like this that attribute dissatisfaction with something as being a result of jealousy of said thing. The logical hoops one must jump through to reach such a conclusion...

 

[BootsWalking]

If memory serves, didn't Verizon start selling unlocked phones as part of a settlement with the FTC over abusive practices? If so, I wonder how that agreement is affected by today's announcement.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

The hatred toward Verizon is mainly due to jealousy of not being able to afford the service costs. Jealousy usually triggers the hatred. Just ignore the hatred comments as they are only trolls. Fortunate for us for being able to afford Verizon and free from jealousy any hatred or trolling.

I think you mean overpaying for service cost. I can afford any carrier, any plan. I also have the freedom to jump in a vat of boiling oil. I don't because that would hurt. I would advise others not to do it because it would hurt, not because I'd be jealous of them attempting that pursuit.. It's a freaking cell service not a luxury photo safari though Africa. Since when did one's carrier choice become a status symbol? I just want reliable service at a realistic price. VZW doesn't really offer the latter. But, honestly, all carriers just suck to high Hell. They are the used car dealerships of the 21st century.

 

[WolfSnap]

The FCC rules the following:

e)Handset locking prohibited. No licensee may disable features on handsets it provides to customers, to the extent such features are compliant with the licensee’s standards pursuant to paragraph (b)of this section, nor configure handsets it provides to prohibit use of such handsets on other providers’ networks.

Verizon as always with it's greediness.

I'd normally say that the FCC will smack them down for this plan, but, with that a554ole Ajit Pai at the helm, Verizon will probably instead get an award....

 

[Xavier]

Never buying through Verizon again. This isn't about criminals. It is about keeping customers on their network, and not selling a phone that could be taken somewhere else.

 

[udayan81]

Verizon this it's thing which it's good at, ripping off people !

 

[harriska2]

I think all phones purchased in cash should be unlocked. Unfortunately, Verizon gets plenty of people who agree to pay for them via device payments, and then never make the payments. These devices are sold so fast to unsuspecting buyers who see that their SIM cards work, and assume they're good.

Yep, happened to me.

 

[MountainApple]

How will this affect international SIMs? In the past one of Verizon's standout features for me (since I travel abroad quite a bit) was that they would let you use foreign SIM cards in their phones, when you were outside the US.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

If memory serves, didn't Verizon start selling unlocked phones as part of a settlement with the FTC over abusive practices? If so, I wonder how that agreement is affected by today's announcement.

No, it was an agreement made with the FCC to acquire exclusive use of part of the 700Mhz spectrum. Maybe we'll get a fuller story soon -- loophole or something -- but right now it does seem this is a flagrant nose-thumbing by VZW at the FCC.

 

[tito2020]

The FCC rules the following:

e)Handset locking prohibited. No licensee may disable features on handsets it provides to customers, to the extent such features are compliant with the licensee’s standards pursuant to paragraph (b)of this section, nor configure handsets it provides to prohibit use of such handsets on other providers’ networks.

Verizon as always with it's greediness.

if apple can do it with there ios why not verizon on there network

 

[udayan81]

As a Verizon customer that is happy with the service, and getting an excellent discount through work, I am glad to see this. I am hopeful that the waiting period will be 90 days or less, and this should accomplish exactly what they're stating. When I worked at the Apple Store a few years back, scalpers lined up every day to buy as many Verizon models as we would sell, just to ship them overseas. This should help a lot more Verizon customers get the phones they want, and not have so many non-verizon users trying to take them to other networks.

It is not criminal (as seems to be Verizon's reasoning to prohibit ) to purchase a phone at full price and sell it a higher price or whatever it is people want to do with their own phone.

 

[Braderunner]

I am a Verizon customer and this is not good for the customer. I hope that the FCC steps in and stops them. All phones should be sold unlocked.

Not the FCC under the current administration.

 

[a.coward]

Wow, Canada took one huge step forward this past year (finally) mandating all phones being sold be unlocked while the USA continues the tradition of lock it down...

Well, at the same time, enjoy the monthly cell phone bills, which are one of the more expensive in the world (and I'm saying this as a Canadian myself -- if only the politicians would regulate that instead of unlocked phones).

 

[Chupa Chupa]

if apple can do it with there ios why not verizon on there network

Because Apple's iOS is the sole property of Apple. Radio waves belong to the government and are licensed to broadcasters and cellcos. That licensing comes with specific requirements. One of the requirements for Verizon on part of the 700Mhz spectrum was they had to sell unlocked cell phones.

 

[Closingracer]

How has he not read the article? I read the article and I am more confused than before I started reading the article.

It states: "Verizon wouldn't say how long the locked period would be" --- yet - "Even after the change, Verizon will continue to unlock the phone regardless of whether it's paid off or not." The second statement is affected by the first. Verizon has a history of not being super customer friendly and going back on their "word" when it conveniences them.

My last 3 iPhones were from Apple directly as I was fed up with how Verizon stores were treating me (refusing to sell me a phone if I didn't get the insurance and getting visibly mad when I said no repeatedly). I believe because I've done this all my phones are unlocked out of the door - so I may not be a good person to comment on this.

Well if you read the article it isn't very confusing. Simply states They are locking their phones because of theft. If you agree or disagree is a different topic all together. Nothing to do with the FCC agreement or Verizon testing them.



As far as Verizon treatment of you I will just say from my experience that is just your store. I have been to 2 stores in the last 4 months and never had any issues. Bought a S8 at a store in the mall in Newport New Jersey where I was added onto a family plan and paid for the phone in full. Then went onto a prepaid plan with a Note 8 and no pushing me to buy any special service or anything. took me like 3 minutes to input my info and handed her the cash for the plan and that was it.

 

[tito2020]

Because Apple's iOS is the sole property of Apple. Radio waves belong to the government and are licensed to broadcasters and cellcos. That licensing comes with specific requirements. One of the requirements for Verizon on part of the 700Mhz spectrum was they had to sell unlocked cell phones.

bet the 700 mhz contract deal expired

 

[itsmilo]

And AT&T
And Sprint
And T-Mobile
And MetroPCS

Read the article, Verizon is the last cell company to sell unlocked phones...

Not defending Verizon at all but your comment doesn't make sense.

I dont think T-Mobile is locked since i bought a 7+ and an 8 as a tourist to use overseas before