The UK is banning sale of carrier-locked phones from December 2021

27 October 2020
Some British carriers already sell only unlocked phones, the others have a year to make the change.

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  • D
  • Dometalican
  • 7BB
  • 27 Oct 2020

TRUMP CHINA 2020, 27 Oct 2020Yup that's the reason why it's impossible for Med... moreThanks to the acquisition of Sprint by T-Mobile and strict VoLTE by Verizon, CDMA shouldn't be needed anymore unless you're on Boost.

It's just our market sucks at phone offerings. It's Apple vs Samsung vs LG while OnePlus, Nokia, Motorola and Sony watch on the sidelines.

Verizon's a major culprit in this now since their 5G ONLY uses mmWave. Yea, it's faster but there are a whopping THREE phones that have that tech unlocked if you don't get it from them.

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • nmM
    • 27 Oct 2020

    Wow, people are actually still getting carrier-locked phones?! It hasn't been a thing where I live (Finland) for many, MANY years. The last time I helped a relative with their locked phone was like back in 2009 or 2010... That is the last time I saw one, since them everything has been unlocked. Not sure when the big carrier here stopped with the locking nonsense, though.

      • A
      • Androiduser
      • j9J
      • 27 Oct 2020

      Working for a mobile phone network in the UK that locks their phones and charges nine quid to unlock the phone only after 6 months, I find this refreshing. I know I work for them but I don't agree with it at all. The argument is that it prevents fraud where a customer takes out a phone sells it and scampers not paying off the contract. However if that six months policy is implemented, I don't know why it is not free to unlock it then. It never sat well with me and it's why I always buy phones from china. I bought a huawei p smart in 2019 for 200 euros and Vodafone then wanted me to spend 130 or so on payg credit before they would unlock it. Total farce.

        • D
        • AnonD-940827
        • 8pQ
        • 27 Oct 2020

        That's still a thing there? Gives absolutely no meaning. People are bound by contract anyway. And the providers can emei block the phones for those who doesn't pay the contract.

          Couldn't imagine buying a phone thru network directly. Not when carphone and third party websites r around

            • T
            • TRUMP CHINA 2020
            • vG@
            • 27 Oct 2020

            IpsDisplay, 27 Oct 2020Tell that to America and Thier carriers smh American sm... moreYup that's the reason why it's impossible for MediaTek and Exynos phones to enter US Market to due massive CDMA Monopoly of Qualcomm thus enabling Carrier locking.

            Anyone promoting outdated CDMA technology must be thrown into outer space.

              IpsDisplay, 27 Oct 2020Tell that to America and Thier carriers smh American sm... moreWell I hope this change in the UK mobile industry slowly spreads all over the world where buying unlocked phones is only a dream!

                • C
                • CloudTech
                • rRT
                • 27 Oct 2020

                I really wish the US was forced to do the same

                  Anonymous, 27 Oct 2020Even when O2 phones were locked they offered free unlocking... moreI've never had to 'unlock' them on O2. Maybe you're going back further than I am haha, but regardless, it's good to know they've been doing this for ages 👌🏼

                    Definitely a good move here. Not everyone is interested in switching telco after all.

                      NomiHK786, 27 Oct 2020Yes! This is why my phones have recently all been from O2 ... moreTell that to America and Thier carriers smh

                      American smartphone market sucks because of this locked phones madness

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                        • Anonymous
                        • mE0
                        • 27 Oct 2020

                        NomiHK786, 27 Oct 2020Yes! This is why my phones have recently all been from O2 ... moreEven when O2 phones were locked they offered free unlocking via the web and app

                          Great move. Way to go forward

                          Or else world will become a cult of one brand over valued and over priced choice

                            Ofcom at the back post. ofcooooomm

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • MAJ
                              • 27 Oct 2020

                              lets goooooooooooooooooooo up the brits

                                Yes!
                                This is why my phones have recently all been from O2 as they were all unlocked.
                                This should be standard practice all over the world.

                                  • ?
                                  • Anonymous
                                  • U{g
                                  • 27 Oct 2020

                                  This move should be implemented worldwide so that buying phones from another regions isn't an issue anymore, unlocking isn't easy

                                    They should have done that years ago.

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