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Verizon is Locking Its Phones Down To Combat Theft (cnet.com)
Verizon is taking an extra step to protect its phones. CNET: The nation's largest wireless carrier said Monday that it would begin locking the phones it sells to consumers, which will prevent them from using a SIM card from another carrier. Initially, the phones will be unlocked as soon as a customer signs up and activates the service. But later in the spring, the company will begin the practice of keeping the phone locked for a period of time after the purchase -- in line with the rest of the industry. Verizon said it is doing this to deter criminals from stealing phones, often on route to retail stores or from the stores themselves.
I actually read the article. As part of the sales agreement for the 700MHZ spectrum purchase they agreed to sell their devices unlocked. I guess that agreement had a sunset or they are just choosing to ignore it now.
I'm too lazy to compose a creative sig.
This isn't about "protecting consumers". It's about killing off the secondary phone market. After you upgrade, you're stuck with a brick you can't sell. All those people who buy used phones will be forced to purchase new - or rooted ones.
They are going back to the bad old days of locked phones requiring permission to use another carrier in violation of their agreement with the FCC. Of course the FCC chairman is a Verizon stooge, so nothing will come of it.
Verizon is taking an extra step to protect its phones.
These are not Verizon's phones.
IMEI blacklisting doesn't work when a thief uses a device on a carrier that has declined to import Verizon's IMEI blacklists, especially a foreign one.