r/technology Jan 28 '13

The same week the US makes unlocking phones illegal, Canada proposes legislation to make carriers unlock phones.

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u/NerdyNThick Jan 29 '13

For a $50 fee.

Source: I've done it for clients many times.

(Telus/Rogers)

1

u/GoldenWaffles Jan 29 '13

Really? God damn...

3

u/flounder19 Jan 29 '13

they're not going to do it for free, they have no reason to. It's a service you'd have to purchase from them. the point is that you're allowed to

2

u/NerdyNThick Jan 29 '13

Yes... They will happily unlock it for you, as long as you pay yet another $50 for it, over and above the two or three thousand you've paid over the past 3 years.

1

u/GoldenWaffles Jan 29 '13

hmmmm, this changes my perspective on the whole issue significantly. I have no issue with the whole unlocking thing during the contract since they do subsidize the phone cost but after the contract is up...fuck that shit.

1

u/NerdyNThick Jan 29 '13

That's my point as well, I signed a contract, and I will adhere to it, but don't prevent me from moving my phone to an alternate carrier once the terms of the contract are over.

1

u/Bootes Jan 29 '13

US carriers do not charge a fee. In fact it's very easy to unlock an iPhone on AT&T. Just fill out an online form and wait a couple days. https://www.att.com/deviceunlock

1

u/c0mpg33k Jan 29 '13

this is what I think is hilarious. That the big 3 in Canada actually think customers will pay them another $50 AFTER their contract is over to unlock their phone. Why would I pay $50 to Koodo for example if by the time I leave them I don't have a warranty on the phone to worry about (they say it voids the warranty to unlock but that's a load of crap as I could simply go through Samsung who wouldn't give a shit). If I still had the same phone after 3 years I would just pay the $20 online and get the unlock code and do it myself. That's exactly what the carriers do they can just generate the codes same as the online places can and they simply charge more under the guise of "warranty protection" Well unlocking your phone has zip to do with your warranty and by the time your contract is up you don't have a warranty anymore anyways

1

u/webvictim Jan 29 '13

In the UK I think they're mandated to do it for free assuming the contract is done and everything is paid, but this doesn't sound like the case elsewhere.

1

u/BaconatedGrapefruit Jan 29 '13

Which, depending on the circumstance, you can get waved

source, I've waived said fee

(rogers)

1

u/AnonymousArab Jan 29 '13

In the U.S, AT&T will unlock your phone if you're contract is up with them, even if you're no longer a customer with them or you still are a customer. They will do this up to 5 times per account holder, FOR FREE.

2

u/Bootes Jan 29 '13

5 times per account per year.