CAGW and AT&T Oppose Handset Unlocking Rules

Citizens Against Government Waste opposed a handset unlocking mandate as proposed in a July NPRM that FCC commissioners approved unanimously (see 2407180037). “The NPRM as currently proposed is unnecessary,” said a filing posted Wednesday in docket 24-186: “The wireless industry has adopted standards for cell phone unblocking. Limitations on unblocking exist solely due to merger conditions created by the FCC for select mobile providers. And consumers can choose to purchase unlocked devices either through a device manufacturer or on the secondary market.” AT&T also opposed a mandate, questioning the FCC's authority to act. An AT&T representative met with aides to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioners Brendan Carr and Anna Gomez. “Because no provision of the Communications Act explicitly grants the Commission authority to require handset unlocking or to regulate handset sales or financing in any manner, the Commission proposed” in the NPRM relying on "general grants of authority and on the authority to modify spectrum licenses,” AT&T said.