September 22, 2007
Unlocking the locked phone debate
Internet law professor Michael Geist gets to grips with the legal implications of unlocking the iPhone. [via the BBC]
"From the moment of its debut, the Apple iPhone has attracted enormous attention. Its biggest impact may go beyond the consumer electronics market, however, as the iPhone has forced politicians and regulators to confront some uncomfortable policy challenges.
... Apple has indicated that some European countries will get the iPhone in late 2007 but wireless carriers in many countries do not provide consumers with data plans that are remotely comparable to AT&T's offer of unlimited data for the iPhone for $20 (£9.90) per month.
These concerns remain unresolved, yet a new policy issue has burst onto the scene in recent weeks. The iPhone, like many mobile phones in North America, is "locked" to a single carrier.
While many consumers may like the opportunity to purchase a phone for a fraction of the full retail price, others would presumably prefer the freedom of an "unlocked" cellphone that would allow them to easily switch between carriers.
The freedom provided by unlocked cellphones is particularly useful for people who travel, since they can avoid roaming fees by converting their mobile into a local phone in most countries by simply inserting a local SIM card.
This approach is standard in Europe and Asia, where consumers would not tolerate a market comprised solely of locked cellphones. "
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