CRTC (Canada) bans cellhpones unlocking fees

[WkdPaul]

The CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission) just issued a ruling stating that service providers can't charge for phone unlocking and that from December 1st, all new phones sold have to be unlocked.

 

Quote

The era of having to pay cellular providers to unlock your cellphone will end this year.

As of Dec. 1, cellphone customers can ask their provider to unlock their phones free of charge, the CRTC announced Thursday. At the same time, it said, all newly purchased mobile devices must be provided to customers unlocked.

 

It's about time IMO, here in Canada we keep being screwed over by "the big 3" (Bell, Telus & Rogers). I would be happy to buy new big brand phones if they weren't so locked down, though in the end they might simply offset that cost into the phones or plans, we'll see I guess!

 

Source;

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/crtc-wireless-code-cellphone-1.4161711

[MrMcMuffinJr]

noob question....is unlocking basically like a jailbreak and a root? what is it?

[WkdPaul]

Just now, MrMcMuffinJr said:

noob question....is unlocking basically like a jailbreak and a root? what is it?

not rooting, but carrier lock

 

Basically, unless you paid up to $50, you can't go to another cellphone carrier.

[MrMcMuffinJr]

sounds like a prison

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

3 minutes ago, MrMcMuffinJr said:

noob question....is unlocking basically like a jailbreak and a root? what is it?

Basically unlocking the phone so it can be used on all mobile networks. Phones here are usually locked to one carrier. So if you buy a phone from Rogers, you can't use it on a competing carrier like Telus. (Though you can use it on subsidiary carriers of Rogers like Fido). 

[MrMcMuffinJr]

if you dont charge to unlock what is the point of a lock in the first place? will it go away?

[WkdPaul]

Just now, MrMcMuffinJr said:

if you dont charge to unlock what is the point of a lock in the first place? will it go away?

yup, the ruling stated that all phones must now be unlocked for free and all new phones have to be sold unlocked.

[Bouzoo]

I find it funny that a funny country like mine has had that law for some time now. 

 

Just now, MrMcMuffinJr said:

if you dont charge to unlock what is the point of a lock in the first place? will it go away?

They will have to unlock all phones for free on a customer request, and all new phones have to be unlocked. 

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

5 minutes ago, wkdpaul said:

The CRTC (Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission) just issued a ruling stating that service providers can't charge for phone unlocking and that from December 1st, all new phones sold have to be unlocked.

 

 

It's about time IMO, here in Canada we keep being screwed over by "the big 3" (Bell, Telus & Rogers). I would be happy to buy new big brand phones if they weren't so locked down, though in the end they might simply offset that cost into the phones or plans, we'll see I guess!

 

Source;

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/crtc-wireless-code-cellphone-1.4161711

Sweet, my plan ends mid December. Though my talk and text plan with Fido only allows me to upgrade to phones that don't really excite me. I'm sure the LG G4 is good, but it just looks boring to me. Same with the Galaxy J3.

[MrMcMuffinJr]

is the lock carrier side or client side. could a jailbreak unlock it

[MorganO]

im pretty sure there was something similar in the uk?(can anyone clairfy)

and that phones are to be sold unlocked?(also so can anyone clarify)

 

when i got my iphone it was locked to the network a time(3 months) then they unlocked it for free

 

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

Just now, MrMcMuffinJr said:

is the lock carrier side or client side. could a jailbreak unlock it

It's on the physical device. You need to purchase a code to unlock it. Jailbreak doesn't do anything to carrier locks.

[MorganO]

1 minute ago, MrMcMuffinJr said:

is the lock carrier side or client side. could a jailbreak unlock it

both afaik

 

[MorganO]

Just now, BlueChinchillaEatingDorito said:

It's on the physical device. You need to purchase a code to unlock it. Jailbreak doesn't do anything to carrier locks.

my iphone when i had it i jsut had to send the team(unlocking team for my carrier) an email etc and it was done automaticly?

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

Just now, KOMTechAndGaming said:

im pretty sure there was something similar in the uk?(can anyone clairfy)

and that phones are to be sold unlocked?(also so can anyone clarify)

 

when i got my iphone it was locked to the network a time(3 months) then they unlocked it for free

 

Canadians are well known to be screwed by telecos all the time.

 

I pay $25 CAD a month for a simple unlimited text and 150 minute talk plan. I got like 1GB of LTE data and 150 minutes for $100 HKD without contract when I was in Hong Kong. That equates to around $17 CAD.

[GoodBytes]

They'll find other ways to block it. Like forcing manufactures to get a custom firmware where they block frequencies not owned by them. This means you can only use their network... so even if you switch provider, you are stuck with them, and they get money regardless.

 

But regardless, I don't see why people just don't buy unlock phones directly.

1. You can switch providers each month if you want
2. Gives you negotiating power when picking a plan
3. You can adapt your plan to your needs. Example: If you lose your job tomorrow, you can switch to a basic plan, minimizing your costs, and not stuck with a fortune to pay
4. Pay less per month
5. Pick a better plan that better fit your needs, saving money

[MrMcMuffinJr]

3 minutes ago, BlueChinchillaEatingDorito said:

It's on the physical device. You need to purchase a code to unlock it. Jailbreak doesn't do anything to carrier locks.

so technically you could brute force it lol

[MorganO]

Just now, GoodBytes said:

They'll find other ways to block it. Like forcing manufactures to get a custom firmware where they block frequencies not owned by them. This means you can only use their network... so even if you switch provider, you are stuck with them, and they get money regardless.

anti consumer law(is it thing over the pond?)

[MorganO]

1 minute ago, BlueChinchillaEatingDorito said:

Canadians are well known to be screwed by telecos all the time.

 

I pay $25 CAD a month for a simple unlimited text and 150 minute talk plan. I got like 1GB of LTE data and 150 minutes for $100 HKD without contract when I was in Hong Kong. That equates to around $17 CAD.

i pay £45($58USD/$77CAD) for 30gb of 4G data,unlimited calls and texts, 24months of spotify premium(for the length of my contract), 4GB data for use within certain EU countries and unlim text and calls for an iPhone 7 plus 256GB(i sold the phone but still have to pay 45)

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

1 minute ago, KOMTechAndGaming said:

my iphone when i had it i jsut had to send the team(unlocking team for my carrier) an email etc and it was done automaticly?

For my first two phones I had to pay a third party to unlock it. Back then, telecos did not provide phone unlocking services. Only in the past few years were they forced to by the CRTC; but they still charged you for it. Now, they must unlock phones for free and cannot sell locked devices.

[MorganO]

4 minutes ago, GoodBytes said:

They'll find other ways to block it. Like forcing manufactures to get a custom firmware where they block frequencies not owned by them. This means you can only use their network... so even if you switch provider, you are stuck with them, and they get money regardless.

 

But regardless, I don't see why people just don't buy unlock phones directly.

1. You can switch providers each month if you want
2. Gives you negotiating power when picking a plan
3. You can adapt your plan to your needs. Example: If you lose your job tomorrow, you can switch to a basic plan, minimizing your costs, and not stuck with a fortune to pay
4. Pay less per month
5. Pick a better plan that better fit your needs, saving money

for people like me, ideally id like to do that but.

A. im student so i cant really dump £600 on new phone

B. i want the best phone.

there is a network that allows changes in your plan and such

[MorganO]

1 minute ago, BlueChinchillaEatingDorito said:

For my first two phones I had to pay a third party to unlock it. Back then, telecos did not provide phone unlocking services. Only in the past few years were they forced to by the CRTC; but they still charged you for it. Now, they must unlock phones for free and cannot sell locked devices.

yeah i think my brother did that with his phone

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

1 minute ago, KOMTechAndGaming said:

i pay £45($58USD/$77CAD) for 30gb of 4G data,unlimited calls and texts, 24months of spotify premium(for the length of my contract), 4GB data for use within certain EU countries and unlim text and calls for an iPhone 7 plus 256GB(i sold the phone but still have to pay 45)

Look at that difference. God damn.

Spoiler

 

[MorganO]

1 minute ago, BlueChinchillaEatingDorito said:

Look at that difference. God damn.

  Reveal hidden contents

 

i feel so sorry for you  

[GoodBytes]

3 minutes ago, KOMTechAndGaming said:

for people like me, ideally id like to do that but.

A. im student so i cant really dump £600 on new phone

B. i want the best phone.

there is a network that allows changes in your plan and such

A. Don't get what you can't afford. They are fine phones for 150$. You can save money also. Meaning, for 2 years you "pay" the extra cost as you would normally for a phone with the provider, allowing you full purchase your next phone, and still save as you get cheaper plans that better fit your needs.

 

B. I also want to drive a Porsche every Monday, and Tuesday a Maserati. But i don't, 'cause I don't like debt. Car, and House (later in life for me) is already the limit for me.