TL;DR
The FCC granted Verizon a waiver that removes a 60-day automatic unlocking requirement and puts the carrier under the CTIA’s voluntary rules. Under those guidelines, prepaid devices become eligible for unlocking after one year, while postpaid units must wait until contract, financing or early termination obligations are met.
What happened
The Federal Communications Commission approved Verizon’s petition to waive a prior rule that required the carrier to automatically unlock devices 60 days after activation. With the waiver in place, Verizon is now bound by the CTIA trade association’s voluntary unlocking policy instead of the shorter FCC timetable. That CTIA policy generally treats prepaid devices as eligible for unlocking after one year, and allows postpaid devices to be unlocked only once a contract, device financing plan or an early termination fee has been satisfied. Verizon and the FCC both cited concerns about stolen handsets being used in fraud as part of the rationale for relaxing the requirement. The shift ends an exception that had previously applied to Verizon following commitments tied to spectrum purchases and merger conditions, and it means customers who want unlocked Verizon phones will now typically have to request unlocks and wait longer than before.
Why it matters
- Consumers who want to switch carriers will face longer waits and must request unlocks rather than receiving automatic unlocking after 60 days.
- Prepaid and postpaid customers are treated differently under the CTIA policy, creating varying timelines and conditions for unlocking.
- The decision aligns Verizon’s unlocking timeline with the practice already used by most other carriers.
- The FCC framed the change as a measure to reduce incentives for device theft and fraud, weighing consumer convenience against security concerns.
Key facts
- The FCC granted Verizon a waiver of the 60-day automatic unlocking requirement.
- While the waiver is active, Verizon must follow the CTIA trade group’s voluntary unlocking policy.
- Under the CTIA policy, prepaid devices are eligible for unlocking one year after activation.
- Postpaid devices can be unlocked after a contract, device financing plan, or an early termination fee is paid.
- Verizon previously followed a 60-day automatic unlock rule that differed from most carriers.
- Those earlier Verizon restrictions were linked to commitments made during a 2008 700 MHz spectrum purchase and 2021 merger conditions related to TracFone.
- The FCC said the prior 60-day rule created incentives for theft and fraud; Verizon echoed similar concerns in its response.
- After the change, phones will be unlocked only upon a user’s request and after the applicable waiting period.
What to watch next
- Whether consumer complaints or legal challenges arise in response to the waiver — not confirmed in the source
- If the FCC or other regulators revisit unlocking rules or impose new conditions — not confirmed in the source
- How Verizon handles requests and customer service for unlocking under the CTIA policy (timelines and process) — not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- FCC: The Federal Communications Commission, the U.S. agency that regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable.
- CTIA: A U.S. wireless industry trade association that publishes voluntary policies and best practices for carriers and device handling.
- Device unlocking: The process that removes a carrier-imposed restriction so a mobile device can be used on other networks.
- Prepaid vs. postpaid: Prepaid service is paid in advance for usage, while postpaid service bills customers after usage, often under a contract or financing plan.
- Early termination fee (ETF): A charge that may apply if a customer ends a contract or financing agreement before its agreed term is completed.
Reader FAQ
When will Verizon unlock devices now?
Under the CTIA policy Verizon will unlock prepaid devices after one year; postpaid devices are eligible once a contract, financing plan, or early termination fee has been settled.
Did Verizon previously follow a different unlocking schedule?
Yes. Verizon previously had a rule that automatically unlocked devices 60 days after activation.
Why did the FCC approve the waiver?
The FCC said the earlier 60-day rule created incentives for theft and fraud, a rationale Verizon also cited in supporting the change.
Will this affect other carriers’ unlocking rules?
Most carriers already followed a one-year unlocking practice, but broader policy changes or impacts on other carriers are not confirmed in the source.
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Sources
- Verizon will start locking phones for longer, making it harder to switch carriers
- Verizon gets FCC permission to end 60-day phone …
- FCC Unties Verizon From 60-Day Phone-Unlocking Rule
- FCC revises Verizon phone unlocking rules after significant …
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