This might be illegal, too.
(Credit:
Amanda Kooser/CNET)
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) might investigate whether it should be illegal for consumers to unlock their mobile phones.
Speaking to TechCrunch in an interview published yesterday, FCC chairman Julius Genachowski said that the ban is "something that we will look at at the FCC to see if we can and should enable consumers to use unlocked phones." He went on to tell TechCrunch that the "ban raises competition concerns; it raises innovation concerns."
The U.S. in January made illegal unlocking mobile phones -- a relatively common practice among unhappy carrier customers -- after the Library of Congress modified the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). That modification left open the right to buy unlocked phones at full price, but stopped consumers from unlocking devices themselves. Unlocked phones typically cost hundreds of dollars more than those that are locked into a two-year agreement with a carrier.
Although Genachowski seemed to indicate some doubt about the new rule, he's by no means saying that his organization will definitely investigate it. His comments also made unclear how the FCC could step in to modify rules put in place by the Library of Congress. In other words, Genachowski's comments need to be taken with a hefty heaping of doubt.
CNET has contacted the FCC for comment on Genachowski's comments. We will update this story when we have more information.
FCC to investigate phone-unlocking ban -- report
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FCC to investigate phone-unlocking ban -- report
