FCC asked to add a special phone unlocking condition to approval of the T-Mobile-Mint deal،
By Fierce Wirelessfour consumer advocacy groups, Consumer Reports, Public Knowledge, Benton Institute and New America's Open Technology Institute, want the FCC to impose a special phone unlocking condition on T Mobilethe planned acquisition of Mint Mobile by . Similar to a condition agreed to before Verizon purchased TracFone in 2021, these consumer groups want T-Mobile to agree to unlock all devices 60 days after they are activated on its network.
Consumer groups say that for devices that don't automatically unlock after 60 days, customers should be allowed to manually unlock their devices 60 days after activation on the site. T Mobile network. At that time, the wireless carrier should provide its customers with “clear and easy-to-follow” instructions on how to manually unlock their phone. The groups want this condition to come into force within 30 days of the T Mobile the acquisition of Mint and its affiliated brands has been completed.
Consumer advocates want a condition added to the FCC's approval of T-Mobile's acquisition of Mint Mobile.
Advocacy groups have long insisted that all smartphones are unlocked by default, making it easier for consumers to switch carriers. Carrier-locked phones, especially those tied to a prepaid account, can impact low-income customers because they might not be able to afford a new phone if they want to switch to a new provider wireless services. As for postpaid accounts, T Mobile says it meets release requirements tied to the Justice Department's final judgment in the deal that saw T Mobile buy Sprint.
Based on this final judgment, T Mobile is required to unlock devices running on a postpaid account only after a customer has completed the postpaid service contract term or completed the financing plan for that particular device, or paid an early termination fee. As consumer advocates have pointed out in a letter to the FCC“The time to meet these criteria can be more than a year.” Remember, these groups want phones activated on the T Mobile network to be unlocked after 60 days.
T Mobile has agreed with Ka'ena Corporation to acquire Mint Mobile and its affiliated brands, Ultra Mobile and Plum, for up to $1.35 billion. The companies are still waiting for regulatory approval so the deal can go through. When finally finished, T Mobile said all acquired brands will be managed as separate subsidiaries under T Mobile WE. Actor Ryan Reynolds, who owns a minority stake in Mint Mobile, will “remain the champion of the Mint brand” according to T Mobile.
