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+--- Thread: Is it fair that we still have to pay for mobile SIM unlocking? (/thread-5267.html)
Is it fair that we still have to pay for mobile SIM unlocking? - Walda - 01-24-2011
in Italy, their regulator AGCOM states if an operator wants to sell a subsidised handset, it has to publicly state the value of the subsidy. Handsets cannot be locked for more than 18 months and consumers have the right to disable the lock after 9 months paying back the operator half the value of the original subsidy.
This was introduced just last year.
The Belgian government does not allow sim locked phones to be sold. In the Netherlands, networks may lock a phone for 12 months but then must give the unlocking code for free to the customer. Finnish phones are supplied unlocked, and there are generally a lot less restrictions in Scandinavian countries than in the UK.
What I'd like to establish firstly is that I believe an unlocking fee is unfair. Contracted mobile phones are heavily subsidised by the networks, but after the initial lock-in period of a contract the networks have recouped their subsidy. A charge (currently £15 for my network) to unlock a phone that then belongs to me after the contract is akin to selling me a house without the keys.
Under these, I'd argue that residents of the UK are placed at a disadvantage compared to residents of Finland, Belgium, The Netherlands and Italy.
What I'd like to canvass here is how people can see this is best taken up. Should this be with UK MP's, with MEP's, or with the networks themselves? (Or a combination?)
On the back of this, I'd be prepared to pull together a draft letter that ... this might sound like pie in the sky right now, but why should we pay an admin fee for something that belongs to us, and which other European citizens don't have to? We changed banks charges, it looks like we're about to change mortgage fees.
There's two pieces of legislation I'd like to refer to. The first one is <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://ec.europa.eu/youreurope/nav/e.../index_en.html">http://ec.europa.eu/youreurope/nav/e.../index_en.html</a><!-- m -->, which is consumer protection specific to UK law. The second is a European-wide document <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/policy...m/uct01_en.pdf">http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/policy...m/uct01_en.pdf</a><!-- m -->.
No - you'r right in that it isn't fair at all. Which is why I am setting up a campaign to do something about it. We successfully did this with internet charges. Rememeber how Americans had free access long before we did, until we all found out and went nuts about it? and we can do it again.
Re: Is it fair that we still have to pay for mobile SIM unlocking? - ScottBNeese - 01-24-2011
Ahh thats in England. thank god!
before fighting unlocking cell phones, why not " bitsh" about the TV taxation first
poor devils!
Another proof of the ingenuity of the British mind! (sarcastic)
Re: Is it fair that we still have to pay for mobile SIM unlocking? - Borondir - 01-24-2011
no, but then no one life is going to be fair, did they
Re: Is it fair that we still have to pay for mobile SIM unlocking? - Tillie9 - 01-25-2011
I don't have a problem being tied into a contract as that's my choice, but anyone on a pay as you go phone and anyone at the end of their contract own that phone outright. People in this situation should be provided with the lock code free, as happens already in the Netherlands, or just not have the phone locked in the first place as in Italy, Belgium or Finland.
So yes - I agree wholeheartedly.
Re: Is it fair that we still have to pay for mobile SIM unlocking? - Aranuir - 01-25-2011
Well I for one am with you on this and if other people are too stupid to be concerned about being ripped off then they are idiots.
Re: Is it fair that we still have to pay for mobile SIM unlocking? - Belegorn - 01-26-2011
I totally agree with you. This is Rip Off Britain.