Senate Antitrust Subcommittee leaders unveiled a bill Thursday aimed at...
Senate Antitrust Subcommittee leaders unveiled a bill Thursday aimed at permitting wireless customers to unlock their phones in order to switch carriers. The Wireless Consumer Choice Act would direct the FCC to begin a rulemaking that ensures consumers can circumvent…
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the technological protection measures that prevent their handsets from being used with other networks. The bill was introduced by Chairman Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Ranking Member Mike Lee, R-Utah, and subcommittee member Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. House Communications Subcommittee Ranking Member Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., will soon introduce a House version of the bill, a news release said. Under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) those who unlock their phones without permission from their carriers may be subject to civil suits, criminal fines or imprisonment. Last year the U.S. Copyright Office issued a rulemaking that removed an exemption for cellphone-firmware unlocking that had been granted in previous triennial reviews of the 1998 law. “Consumers shouldn’t have to fear criminal charges if they want to unlock their cell phones and switch carriers,” said Lee. “Enhanced competition among wireless services is the surest way to increase consumer welfare.” The bill follows a White House announcement this week that the administration supports “narrow legislative fixes” to permit consumers to switch carriers when they are no longer bound by a service agreement (http://1.usa.gov/14lub3Z). “This legislation is common sense, crucial for protecting consumer choice, and important for ensuring healthy competition in the market,” said Blumenthal. Klobuchar said: “Consumers should have flexibility and choice when it comes to their wireless service and they deserve to keep and use cell phones they have already purchased.” Public Knowledge commended the lawmakers for introducing the bill but said there is more need for legislation that amends the DMCA to prevent further consumer abuses. “Amending the DMCA itself will ensure stronger competition, and also that consumers can use the devices they've bought in whatever lawful way they choose,” said Public Knowledge Vice President-Government Affairs Christopher Lewis, in a release Thursday. Free Press Action Fund Policy Director Matt Wood also commended the bill for recognizing the need to “free our phones,” he said in a separate release.