AT&T will let users unlock mobile phones

UNITED STATES TELECOMS OPERATOR AT&T has said it will let users unlock mobile phones on its network despite the US law prohibiting users from unlocking their devices.

In January the US made it illegal to unlock mobile phones, a change that raised public consternation and even gained attention from the White House. Following a message from the Obama administration saying it will work to change the law, AT&T has said it will allow its customers to unlock their devices.

AT&T said it will provide unlock codes to customers who have no outstanding balance on their account and have been a customer for more than 60 days.

Joan Marsh, VP of AT&T's Federal Regulatory division spelled out the company's policy, saying, "If we have the unlock code or can reasonably get it from the manufacturer, AT&T currently will unlock a device for any customer whose account has been active for at least 60 days; whose account is in good standing and has no unpaid balance; and who has fulfilled his or her service agreement commitment.

"If the conditions are met we will unlock up to five devices per account per year. We will not unlock devices that have been reported lost or stolen."

AT&T is following up on the Obama administration's message that said the ban on unlocking mobile phones is bad for competition. In a statement the administration said that it will seek to overturn the law as soon as possible after receiving a petition with more than 110,000 signatures.

Given that AT&T has said it will ignore the US ban on unlocking mobile phones along with the Obama administration's stance, it seems like only a matter of time before the ill-conceived law will be reversed. µ