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It also approved a rule letting schools loan out Wi-Fi hotspots, and another capping jail call costs.
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The Federal Communications Commission wants to standardize the amount of time consumers have to wait to unlock their cell phones to be able to switch carriers.
The agency voted unanimously on Thursday to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to make mobile service providers unlock customers’ phones within 60 days of activation. The proposal is at an early stage — the notice of proposed rulemaking begins a public comment period before a lengthy process of drafting and revising the rule — but the FCC hopes it will boost consumer choice and competition among mobile service providers.
The commissioners are seeking comment on whether the proposed rule should apply to existing or future service contracts, and how it could impact smaller mobile service providers and resellers, if more phones become available on the secondary market.
Waiting periods and unlocking requirements vary between carriers, which the FCC said in a press release creates confusion for customers. AT&T, for example, says customers can unlock their phones within 60 days of activation if they’ve paid off their phone in full, or completed their payment plan. Boost Mobile says it will unlock phones once a customer completes their payments for the phone.
The FCC also voted on several other initiatives during its July open meeting. Among them, it voted to approve final rules to let schools and libraries access federal E-Rate funds to loan Wi-Fi hotspots to students, school staff, and library patrons. This is part of Chair Jessica Rosenworcel’s efforts to close the digital divide by expanding the E-Rate program, which gives schools and libraries discounts on internet and telecommunications services.
The agency also approved rules to slash the cost of jail calls and prohibit certain fees that drive up prices for incarcerated people seeking to contact their loved ones. The price per minute of audio calls, for example, will be capped at six cents rather than 14 cents in prisons, and seven cents versus 21 cents in medium-sized jails. It also sets video call rate caps ranging from 11 to 25 cents depending on the type or size of the jail or prison.