News - September 23, 2024

INCOMPAS Files FCC Reply Comments on Mobile Handset Unlocking NPRM

WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 23, 2024 – INCOMPAS, the internet and competitive networks association, filed reply comments today on the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that seeks input as the Commission explores the use of handset unlocking policies as a means to improve consumer choice and flexibility and to enhance competition across the mobile wireless marketplace.

Following its initial comments, INCOMPAS continues to stress two important points regarding Mobile Handset Unlocking:

1. There is broad support in the record from various organizations and carriers that all agree that a uniform unlocking requirement promotes competition and benefits consumers. The current practice of locking phones reduces wireless competition and consumer choice by making it more difficult for consumers to change carriers and by reducing the number of devices available on the secondary market. The varying unlocking policies among carriers is confusing and can be harmful to consumers and newer entrants in the market.
    
2. The mobile wireless market is not sufficiently competitive. In a market with only three dominant providers, helping competitive providers compete is critical to expand the market, promote competition, and increase consumer choice. The Commission’s proposal for a uniform device unlocking policy is key to the goals of promoting competition and enabling consumers to more easily switch among providers especially in light of the concentrated state of the current mobile wireless market.