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.
The cell phone contracts already stipulate draconian one sided measures.
Why for example do they advertise unlimited/etc showing people streaming
video and then in their contract dis-allow any service that uses streaming?


On Sat, Jan 26, 2013 at 3:53 PM, Walter Mack <wmack@componentsw.com> wrote:

>  hhmm,
> some random thoughts:
>
> 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.
>
> 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?
>
> 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?
>
> 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.
>
>
> On 01/26/2013 04:28 PM, keith smith wrote:
>
>
> 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.
>
> Hold onto your seat.  This is just an example of how a run away government
> is going to treat it's people.
>
> This is not freedom, this is bondage.
>
> Th article says in part:
>
> 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.
>
>
> http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/now-illegal-unlock-cellphone/story?id=18319518
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------
> Keith Smith
>
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