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Chile Forbids Carriers From Selling Network-Locked Phones

Posted by timothy on from the as-regulations-go-not-a-bad-idea dept.

An anonymous reader writes "As from today, network operators in Chile are no longer allowed to sell carrier-locked phones, and must unlock free of charge all devices already sold to costumers through a simple form on their respective websites. The new regulation came into effect in preparations for the rollout of Mobile Number Portability, set to begin on January 16th. This is one among other restrictions that forbid carriers to lock in the customers through 'abusive clauses' in their contracts, one of which was through selling locked devices. Now if a customer wishes to change carriers he/she needs only to have the bills up to date and the process of porting the number should only take 24 hours."

4 of 291 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well, I'm glad THIS sort of blatantly anti-job-maker legislation won't ever happen in the good ol' US of A! You won't hear us clamoring for such a violation of corporate* rights and freedom!

    *: Hallowed be their almighty names.

  2. Re:An outbreak of common sense by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    RTFA: Chile != China

    ROTFLMAO

  3. More government interference! by cvtan · · Score: 4, Funny

    If you people would just leave cell phone companies alone, they would naturally all do the right thing by their customers!!!

    --
    Sorry, but gray text on gray background is making my eyes bleed.
  4. Re:An outbreak of common sense by Em+Adespoton · · Score: 3, Funny

    It's not that big a deal... it only affects the entertainment industry. Re-read that quote:
    "...and must unlock free of charge all devices already sold to costumers through a simple form on their respective websites."