CTIA unlocking principles - vzw

Did you read what you posted? If you met the conditions they'll unlock it. If you didn't no carrier has to unlock any device.

Mobile Phone and Device Unlocking FAQs | FCC.gov

Also more than likely it isn't retroactive. Any devices sold before the date more than likely exempt from following the rules. Much like the unlock policies prior to this one.

unknown

FCC, wireless carriers reach cell phone unlocking deal - CNET

It does not go into affect until end of 2014 or early 2015

Good Luck

Thank you for your comments. Perhaps I should clarify my question, a bit: I own an iphone 4S that is out of contract (fully paid for), and my account is in good standing. I have requested that Verizon unlock it, which they have, but only for international carriers (ie, it can be used with any GSM sim, as long as its outside the US). I would like to use T-Mobile or AT&T sim occasionally when I'm travelling, and it was my understanding that these set of new principles will allow me to do so.

@tidbits : Regarding exempt devices - Verizon still sells iphone 4S devices, so it seems reasonable to me that this policy should apply to new+old devices. If that is not the case, Verizon should clarify that - one of the principles Verizon has committed to is a clear and accessible unlocking policy.

@elector : Regarding the date where these policies go into effect - I believe the announcement stated that half the policies go into effect by May 11th 2014, and the rest should go into effect by February 11th, 2015.

It doesn't go by date of sale... Even if they still sell the device the 4S would be exempt. Much like the unlocking policy the was changed prior to this where devices sold after the regulation went live couldn't be unlocked without carrier approval. It isn't retroactive.

It's actually the FCC is being clear. If it was retroactive then the FAQ would actually say so. Since it doesn't then it isn't.

I have 3 iPhone 4s' which are fully paid and off contract. The CTIA agreement went into effect on May 11th but there is no sign of that agreement on the VZW website thus no one can tell which 3 of the 6 principles from the agreement VZW implemented on May 11. I called VZW today, May 12th, spoke with 2 different reps and they had no knowledge of the agreement and also refused my request to unlock the iPhones.

Very poor customer service in my opinion, especially given the premium price which VZW charges vs their competitors. Following my call, I received a customer satisfaction survey call from VZW. You can imagine the rating that I provided.

My next step will be marching into a corporate store with CTIA agreement in hand and ask to have my phones unlocked.

If this is not resolved within the next week, VZW will certain loose another 4 phone family plan.

I called VZW global support asking to unlock my phone for domestic carriers. The rep, initially, said that VZW's policy has always been to refuse these requests for 3G devices (though not for 4G devices, which are domestically unlocked by default).

I mentioned the new rules that are supposed to go into effect on May 11, and the rep put me on hold while he consulted other people. When he returned, he apologized for not being up to date on this - VZW is adopting new unlocking regulations that will apply to 3G devices. I asked for the exact wording of the new guidelines, but they were pretty vague about whether these will apply to some or all devices, and also regarding the timeline for when this should happen. I asked whether any information about this is available to the public on VZW's website, but was told that it is not.

I believe this means that VZW is not compliant with the CTIA regulations and I have already filed a complaint with the FCC - I suggest you do the same (File Complaint | FCC.gov), although I think VZW isn't really accountable since these rules are voluntary (pretty clever of them to adopt these voluntary rules before the FCC could actually force its own regulation).

CTIA doesn't go into full effect until the end of the year... Like I also said it isn't retroactive...

I filed my complaint with the FCC immediately after I got off the phone with Verizon.

If you read the CTIA Article 12 carefully, you will see that 3 of the 6 principles for unlocking a phone were required to be implemented on May 11, 2014. All 6 principles must be implemented within one year. It appears that Verizon has not implemented any of the principles to date. It also appears that Verizon has not posted this info on their website as required nor have instructed their employees on this matter.

Wish you luck... Sad to say FCC won't care... Ironically the policy never changed for all carriers... It's no different than what they had before. Some devices are exempt from the rule. If it was retroactive it would have said so by the FCC. It's no different than when FCC regulated that you couldn't unlock your devices. Devices prior to that date could be unlocked by any means you picked. Just as an example.

It's NOT retroactive, and it doesn't go into FULL effect until FEBRUARY 11, 2015

On February 11, 2014, CTIA-The Wireless Association adopted six standards on unlocking into the CTIA's Consumer Code for Wireless Service. Implementation of these six standards by major mobile wireless service providers will give consumers greater freedom and flexibility while increasing incentives for service providers to innovate. Participating wireless service providers will implement at least three of these six standards by May 11, 2014, and all of these standards by February 11, 2015.

Just wanted to provide an update to my efforts to get my iPhone 4s unlocked for other domestic carrier use. On Tuesday May 13, I went to a corporate Verizon store where I did get some assistance. After explaining the issue and showing the CTIA documents to one of the reps, he searched the Verizon Corporate intranet and a site he called "Info-Manager". On the Info-Manager site there is a page which he showed to me on the computer screen showing that Verizon WILL UNLOCK the wireless 3G devices for other domestic carrier use which meet the conditions set in the CTIA code. This page also provides instructions to the rep on the process. However, there is a gotcha on the iPhone 4s. There is a one sentence paragraph which states something to the effect that Verizon is unable to unlock the iPhone 4s at this time. I emailed the Verizon Corporate President for my area and this afternoon received a phone call from someone from the executive office. There was a request to additional information which I provided. This matter is being looked into. I will provide updates as I receive additional information.

It's probably because it requires code from Apple in order to change how the device is unlocked. So until Apple changes it then you are SOL.

the 4s is a world phone - it supports a wide range of frequencies and is physically capable of working on all the major us carriers. i think it's clear to anyone that any restrictions ("locking") that were placed on the phone by Apple were placed at Verizon's request. The fact that verizon doesn't have a way of unlocking the phone is entirely Verizon's own doing - they clearly did not request that apple implement a way to do this (I would wager that they specifically requested that Apple make this impossible or at least difficult).

This s no different than locking a simple feature phone, and asking the manufacturer to discard the unlock code instead of making it available to the carrier or the consumer.

The ctia was clever to adopt these voluntary principles before the FCC or government had a chance to regulate unlocking - this has given the carriers the freedom to interpret the rules as they see fit (verizon hasn't really committed if/when they will unlock certain devices, and sprint has actually announced it will not unlock any devices sold in the past).

Never again will I purchase a locked device.

that doesn't matter... It's a LEGACY device like I said. They don't have to unless THEY want to. Anything going forward everything complies. Much like the previous 2 laws that proceed this one. They ALL were not RETROACTIVE.

knowitall2

If you read the FCC FAQ on unlocking some of these questions are clearly answered.

1. There are six standards Verizon (and the other major providers) have accepted. The first three go into effect May 11, 2014 and the last three no later than Feb. 11, 2015. The issue is that the providers can decide which three standards they will accept by May 11 (thus leaving them the final three they must enact by Feb. 11, 2015). From the replies and in keeping with Verizon's poor customer service it is clear they are reluctant to disclose which three standards they have accepted. But by Feb. 11 it will be moot all the standards will have to be in force.

2. It is retroactive in the sense the standards are absolutely clear. Every provider has to unlock a phone, any phone, purchased at any time as long as it meets the criteria of having been fully paid and the service contract, however long agreed upon is now over. Prepaid phones are eligible to be unlocked no later than one year after activation consistent with time, payment or usage requirements.

3. Once your device (all of the above goes for tablets hooked up to cell service as well as phones) is unlocked it can be used on other networks if they have the same technology i.e. GSM, LTE, CDMA etc.

4. Once all the standards are implemented (again by Feb. 11, 2015) all the providers will send notices to customers they are eligible for unlocking. Some may simply automatically unlock all devices remotely, others may have you jump through a few hoops. Also they can not charge customers or former customers for the service. But once you request to be unlocked they must unlock, provide you with instructions how to unlock it or initiate an unlocking request to the device manufacturer within two business days of your request.

The take away here is that while providers may be purposely or not offering up little in the way of definitive information now about unlocking your phone or tablet -- it is game over on Feb. 11, 2015. So be just a little bit more patient or as a previous reply said file a complaint with the FCC.

By the way all this comes from the FCC site and it is written in pretty clear language.

knowitall2 wrote:

If you read the FCC FAQ on unlocking some of these questions are clearly answered.

1. There are six standards Verizon (and the other major providers) have accepted. The first three go into effect May 11, 2014 and the last three no later than Feb. 11, 2015. The issue is that the providers can decide which three standards they will accept by May 11 (thus leaving them the final three they must enact by Feb. 11, 2015). From the replies and in keeping with Verizon's poor customer service it is clear they are reluctant to disclose which three standards they have accepted. But by Feb. 11 it will be moot all the standards will have to be in force.

2. It is retroactive in the sense the standards are absolutely clear. Every provider has to unlock a phone, any phone, purchased at any time as long as it meets the criteria of having been fully paid and the service contract, however long agreed upon is now over. Prepaid phones are eligible to be unlocked no later than one year after activation consistent with time, payment or usage requirements.

3. Once your device (all of the above goes for tablets hooked up to cell service as well as phones) is unlocked it can be used on other networks if they have the same technology i.e. GSM, LTE, CDMA etc.

4. Once all the standards are implemented (again by Feb. 11, 2015) all the providers will send notices to customers they are eligible for unlocking. Some may simply automatically unlock all devices remotely, others may have you jump through a few hoops. Also they can not charge customers or former customers for the service. But once you request to be unlocked they must unlock, provide you with instructions how to unlock it or initiate an unlocking request to the device manufacturer within two business days of your request.

The take away here is that while providers may be purposely or not offering up little in the way of definitive information now about unlocking your phone or tablet -- it is game over on Feb. 11, 2015. So be just a little bit more patient or as a previous reply said file a complaint with the FCC.

By the way all this comes from the FCC site and it is written in pretty clear language.

It is NOT retroactive... Much like the law that had unlocking devices except through carriers only was not retroactive. Anything prior to the law going into effect were exempt. Much like building codes prior to it being law are exempt. You don't see buildings made in having handicap access from the point building codes made it required. However if there was an remodeling then it must be put into effect.

how to unlock iPhone 4s with verizon code | Apple Support Communities

heres a link to an apple thread showing that vzw has unlocked all 4s for domestic sims:

UUnfortunately I no longer have my 4s, which I really regret, I loved its size, due to conflicting responses from vzw.

i just wanted to add that I'm especially frustrated at comments by ppl like @tidbits who post messages without really knowing what they're talking about and take a clearly anti consumer position. clearly a vzw employee.