Cellphone unlocking made legal in the US

First of all let me mention, unlocking phones was legal until earlier this year, when a law making it legal expired. Then the trouble started, and all over the Senate, etc. people looked for ways to re-legalize it.

Since the law expired, anyone wishing to unlock his phone needed written consent from the provider to which the phone was locked. He will get his wish eventually, but not without being fished for some money in return.

Now, with the new law passed in the Senate, whoever wants to unlock can do it, and a bonus- the carriers are obligated to unlock your phone for free, and in case you want it done through a third-party shop, you are granted.

The law added some terms for that: The must’ve been either bought outright, or have all its obligations complete. Basically- you can only do it if you no longer have money left to pay, related to the handset you wish to unlock.

Aren't going to like it

It will take a while until the new bill gets passed through all its regulatory requirements, you’ll have to wait a while in order to have your full freedom. Although people usually don’t switch carriers ever-so-often, so waiting a few months shouldn’t be an issue to most.