EchoStar: Proposed Handset Unlocking Rules Have Broad Support

EchoStar urged the FCC to move forward on handset unlocking rules for prepaid and postpaid devices. As the FCC recognized in its unlocking NPRM, “such rules are a means to improve consumer choice and flexibility and to enhance competition across the mobile wireless marketplace," the company said in a filing posted Tuesday in docket 24-186: “EchoStar agrees, as do the majority of commenting parties: the benefits of a standard unlocking policy are widely cited in the record. Indeed, industry-wide unlocking requirements have support from parties ranging from the public interest community to Verizon and Comcast.” Commissioners approved an NPRM 5-0 in July (see 2407180037).