It is not that simple. Even if you have an out of contract phone the cell companies won't always unlock it for you. I just went through that with a Tmobile phone I bought on ebay... when I got it it was unlocked but TMobile locked it when I activated it on a unlimited no-contract sim with them they locked it. They refused to even try to give me the unlock code because I wasn't a current customer with a contract. I had to go to the mall to have them unlock it.<br>
The cell phone contracts already stipulate draconian one sided measures.<br>Why for example do they advertise unlimited/etc showing people streaming video and then in their contract dis-allow any service that uses streaming?<br>
<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Sat, Jan 26, 2013 at 3:53 PM, Walter Mack <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:wmack@componentsw.com" target="_blank">wmack@componentsw.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000">
<div>hhmm,<br>
some random thoughts:<br>
<br>
You CAN buy unlocked phones legally. The article mentions iphone 5
and some google phone - so you have an alternative if you don't
like a locked phone. Maybe its more expensive, but you HAVE A
CHOICE.<br>
<br>
Why don't they simply "lease" you the phone, then it remains their
property and no one would question that unlocking a phone that is
the property of someone else (the provider) can be considered
illegal?<br>
<br>
Why don't the contracts simply stipulate that you AGREE to not
unlock the phone? Surely every good citizen will abide by the
contracts he/she signs - and if someone doesn't its breach of
contract - what am I missing here?<br>
<br>
If it is really that high on your list of priorities, get some
100000 voters together for a lobbying campaign, and see the
wonders that can do. Citizens (you and me among roughly 300
Million others) have a right to lobby congress, just as much as
cell providers have. <br><div><div class="h5">
<br>
<br>
On 01/26/2013 04:28 PM, keith smith wrote:<br>
</div></div></div>
<blockquote type="cite"><div><div class="h5">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="font:inherit" valign="top"><br>
I know some of you do not agree with my limited government
position, however this is what a run away government
does. We pay for our phones with those two year
contracts. Our rates would be lower if they did not
"subsidize" our phones. These phones are our property.<br>
<br>
Hold onto your seat. This is just an example of how a run
away government is going to treat it's people. <br>
<br>
This is not freedom, this is bondage.<br>
<br>
Th article says in part:<br>
<br>
The worst-case scenario for an individual or civil offense
could be as much as a $2,500 fine. As for those planning
to profit off of the act or a criminal offense -- such as
a cellphone reseller -- the fine could be as high as
$500,000 and include prison time.
<br>
<br>
<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/now-illegal-unlock-cellphone/story?id=18319518" target="_blank">http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/now-illegal-unlock-cellphone/story?id=18319518</a><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
------------------------<br>
Keith Smith</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br>
<fieldset></fieldset>
<br>
</div></div><div class="im"><pre>---------------------------------------------------
PLUG-discuss mailing list - <a href="mailto:PLUG-discuss@lists.phxlinux.org" target="_blank">PLUG-discuss@lists.phxlinux.org</a>
To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings:
<a href="http://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss" target="_blank">http://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss</a></pre>
</div></blockquote>
<br>
</div>
<br>---------------------------------------------------<br>
PLUG-discuss mailing list - <a href="mailto:PLUG-discuss@lists.phxlinux.org">PLUG-discuss@lists.phxlinux.org</a><br>
To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings:<br>
<a href="http://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss" target="_blank">http://lists.phxlinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss</a><br></blockquote></div><br>