The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) says all cellular service providers must unlock customers’ smartphones upon request. In addition, all newly purchased mobile devices must ship unlocked, according to Digital Trends.
Providers such as Bell, Rogers, and Telus historically charged a fee for unlocking phones (typically CN$50). But as of December 1, 2017, providers will be required to unlock phones for free, allowing consumers to switch service providers.
In February, CRTC reviewed telecom policies and a month later released a report stating that Canadian telecoms made $37.7 million in 2016, by charging to unlock phones — a 75 percent revenue increase compared to 2014. The new unlocking policy will also become part of the CRTC’s Wireless Code, which outlines the rights and responsibility of Canada’s wireless carriers.
The Code applies to “all wireless services,” according to the agency, and dictates that ambiguous parts of subscribers’ carrier contracts must be interpreted “in a manner that is favorable to the customer.”
In the U.S., unlocking of cell phones is tied to service contracts and varies by the provider; the FCC’s website does state that “participating providers may not charge existing or former customers additional fees to unlock a device if it is eligible to be unlocked. Providers may charge a fee to unlock eligible devices for non-customers and former customers.”
June 20, 2017
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