But the FCC is run by a ex-Verizon employee, on a career break now. So, I'd wager that the FCC changes its rules rather than a lawsuit.
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Verizon No Longer Plans to Sell Unlocked iPhones
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But the FCC is run by a ex-Verizon employee, on a career break now. So, I'd wager that the FCC changes its rules rather than a lawsuit.
From my understanding, they will lock all phones for a specific amount of time, then unlock them. Even if they aren't paid off.
I wonder if Apple will go along with this, or just decide to sell al versions, including the unlocked on, on launch day?
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"Later in the spring, though, smartphones will remain locked until unlocked by Verizon, and Verizon has not yet shared details on how long it will keep phones locked before offering to unlock them."
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"Later in the spring, though, smartphones will remain locked until unlocked by Verizon, and Verizon has not yet shared details on how long it will keep phones locked before offering to unlock them."
Honestly I don't really blame Verizon here. They really are not doing anything the other carriers are doing. The Q is what does their deal with the FCC entail and can they actually do what they are proposing without getting hit again by the FCC..
This makes sense in terms of the unlocking when I buy an iPhone scenario (that was mentioned),
but not in regards to the possibly keeping it locked longer part of the post.
Locking has one big benefit to the carrier, international travel. This is a limited amount of the customers and I bet it upsets more customers (and drives some away) than it makes money.
It doesn't stop you from switching carriers since if you pay it in full the carriers have been unlocking them (as far as I know).
Ajit Pai's FCC isn't going to do anything about it and would likely just change the rules to suit His / Verizons interests.
And the first line you left out "As of today, Verizon devices will be locked to the Verizon network and unlocked as soon as a customer signs up for service and activates the phone."
What the later in the spring means is that they will then decide then what the standard unlock time will be like other carriers. I called a few Verizon places today
It's just another scam by Verizon. Just their way of getting you to pay a $30 activation fee before unlocking it.
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The big difference is if you activate now, it is unlocked immediately. This spring it could be months after activation. Just in time for the S9 release. It not only keeps your phone locked for at least a few months, you also will have to pay for their service too, whether you want to or not, otherwise you will be stuck with a locked phone. As of right now, you have to pay an activation fee, but you can cancel service and then go to another carrier. In this spring, not only will you have to pay the $30 activation fee, you will also have to pay for a few months of service, before you can get it unlocked, and then cancel service and go to a different carrier. It's all about the money, not about theft.
This guy…
is running the FCC.
Last time I checked he wasn't too concerned about the consumer.
All iPhones sold at the Apple Store are unlocked - there is no reason to be buying a Verizon phone to take it abroad
This has nothing to do with a $30 activation fee. All other US carriers already lock your phones anyways.
Not on launch day.
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It IS about the money. Come spring, you are forced to sign up for their service, and pay for a least a month or two of service, before the phone will be unlocked, allowing you to go to a different carrier. If I pay full price for the phone, I should not be held hostage by a carrier.
[doublepost=1518466590][/doublepost]And we all know what T-Mobile will do with this announcement. They will become the unlocked carrier and sell all their phones unlocked from the start. Verizon keeps falling into the T-Mobile trap.
Verizon doing something you don't like does not equate to a scam.
No video. Just the facts. None of Ajit Pai's actions suggests he is operating with the consumer in mind. FCC majority currently resides with the Republicans. None of Ajit Pai's cohorts in the FCC have apposed him on any action.
Well, I'm glad they are locking them. I work for Verizon and this past year has been TERRIBLE with robberies of Verizon stores. Mine just got robbed a few weeks ago. It sucks, and I hate having the phones locked, but if Verizon is going to unlock them without having to pay them off and automatically after a few months, I'm okay with that. At least I'll be safer at work and won't have to continue worrying if every shady looking customer is about to rob us. Speaking of, we actually have had a few people watch our store. We got security and one guy had the guts to ask if he had a gun and when his shift change was. Of course the security guy didn't tell him, and said he'd be more than happy to show him his gun. haha.
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Actually, it's not a scam. It IS about theft. I'm happy they are doing this. I'll feel much safer at work.
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But what is the phones are paid in full? Will they still be locking them for this time period?
If I pay for the phone outright, I should not be held hostage by a company that demands money from me to unlock it. That IS a scam.
That's interesting because I can afford Verizon and don't want it. They are greedy. Just because I can afford something doesn't mean I should pay more.
I believe it is about theft. Unless you are privy to information the rest of use aren't, you are just making a lot of verbal Verizon spit balls.
Honestly, I don't care how you feel. I care about my safety. And you aren't held hostage...you have the choice to buy it at whatever carrier you want. Also, Verizon isn't requiring you to pay it off before it's unlocked....America, the land of cry babies.
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Also, maybe read the article...and a little bit about business. Why would Verizon sell you their inventory and not expect a little something in return. And again, according to CNET, Verizon will unlock it without it being paid off....
The US, it always surprises me how backward a place it is/becomes. This writing from free Europe. Locked phones are evil.
From the article:
Verizon is only temporarily locking the phones (although they haven't said how long the temp lock will be for).
"The wait period is in place to deter scammers from signing up with stolen identities to get a new phone and immediately turning around and selling the device."
AT&T requires the phone to be 100% paid for and active (on a service plan) for 60 days.
Sprint requires the phone to be 100% paid and active (on a service plan) for 50 days.
T-Mobile requires the phone be 100% paid and active (on a service plan for 40 days (although they will temporarily unlock for foreign travel sooner).
So it sounds like Verizon is looking for something similar to the above examples... it doesn't sound (to me) like they're trying to prevent people from switching.
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