US House of Representatives passes cellphone unlocking bill, with a controversial twist

[TopWargamer]

http://www.theverge.com/2014/2/26/5449242/house-passes-cellphone-unlocking-bill-with-controversial-bulk-reselling-limit

 

The House of Representatives has approved a bill to legalize cellphone unlocking, but the groups who pushed hardest for an unlocking bill are disappointed. On Tuesday, Rep. Bob Goodlatte's (R-VA) Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act passed the House in a vote of 295 to 114. It now goes to the Senate, where Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) is the sponsor of a companion bill. If signed into law, it would allow consumers to "unlock" their phones to work with another carrier, temporarily reversing a decision made by the Librarian of Congress in 2012. But a last-minute amendment from Goodlatte bans unlocking phones "for the purpose of bulk resale," something that has led some former advocates to suspend their support in favor of a competing bill from Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA).

 

So what I'm doing right now won't be illegal, soon. Aw yes. (If you're curious, I'm using a Verizon LG G2 on T-Mobile right now.) Quite frankly, this was stupid in the first place. Customers should have the ability to take their smartphone freely to whichever carrier that they wish to go to. Now, keep in mind, JUST The House has passed the bill so far. It's being taken to the Senate, and if it gets passed (which I really hope that it does), cellphone unlocking will become 100% legal. 

 

Politicians are finally doing something right for once. 

 

Now onto the controversial part about this bill.

 

But a last-minute amendment from Goodlatte bans unlocking phones "for the purpose of bulk resale," something that has led some former advocates to suspend their support in favor of a competing bill from Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA).

 

I can't tell if this is referring to consumers or the actual carriers. In my opinion, the customers can do whatever they want with their cellphones, so hopefully this part won't effect us. On the other side, there's the carriers. I mean, I can see why that part is in the bill, if referring to the carriers, because the phone wasn't theirs to begin with, therefore they cannot resell the phone. I think that's fair enough.

 

What are your thoughts on this?

[Bluejay0]

w00t!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Thibaudv]

My thoughts: How was it illegal in the first place???

[beebskadoo]

 

Always some shitty part of a bill that makes no sense. I wonder if they do this on purpose?

[AlexGoesHigh]

really that shit is stupid, if i use a phone from a carrier whit a different SIM that their it was illegal. if a carrier blocked something like that here, the would get their asses sued

[beebskadoo]

My thoughts: How was it illegal in the first place???

You're from Belgium, a forward thinking country.

The U.S. is a backwards thinking country.

 

It's simple really...

[Jaybird]

You're from Belgium, a forward thinking country.

The U.S. is a backwards thinking country.

 

It's simple really...

but isnt belgium backwards think country if compared that the U.S. is forward thinking. ah brain twister. 

[beebskadoo]

but isnt belgium backwards think country if compared that the U.S. is forward thinking. ah brain twister. 

But compare the US to most of the 1st world countries....

 

We're the backwards ones.

[Xorbot]

Now, keep in mind, JUST The House has passed the bill so far. It's being taken to the Senate, and if it gets passed (which I really hope that it does), cellphone unlocking will become 100% legal. 

 

Unless presidential veto?

[TopWargamer]

Unless presidential veto?

Obama, stahp. Don't do this!

[Jaybird]

But compare the US to most of the 1st world countries....

 

We're the backwards ones.

well I mean we did leave england in search of a better life. I know england is still heart broken that we separated our selves from them and then denied them access in our new world. 

[Jaybird]

Unless presidential veto?

if he vetos it goes back to the senate and if passed by 2/3 votes it becomes law any ways.

[dizmo]

But compare the US to most of the 1st world countries....

 

We're the backwards ones.

Haha, the only country to refuse abandonment of the Imperial measurement system.

 

well I mean we did leave england in search of a better life. I know england is still heart broken that we separated our selves from them and then denied them access in our new world. 

Are you kidding?

They have Canada.

[beebskadoo]

well I mean we did leave england in search of a better life. I know england is still heart broken that we separated our selves from them and then denied them access in our new world. 

You mean we left England for religious reasons, came her and started persecuting people and slaughtering the natives for religious reasons.

I don't think England wants us back if I'm honest...

[Jaybird]

Haha, the only country to refuse abandonment of the Imperial measurement system.

 

Are you kidding?

They have Canada.

eh canadians just want to be Americans. i mean look at them. 90% live with in a stones throw of the boarder. (tongue in cheek)

[Jaybird]

You mean we left England for religious reasons, came her and started persecuting people and slaughtering the natives for religious reasons.

I don't think England wants us back if I'm honest...

why so serious yo?

 

double post, deal with it. 

[beebskadoo]

why so serious yo?

 

double post, deal with it. 

Sometimes sarcasm isn't portrayed well over the internet, even for someone like me

[beebskadoo]

eh canadians just want to be Americans. i mean look at them. 90% live with in a stones throw of the boarder. (tongue in cheek)

haha @ eh

[dizmo]

eh canadians just want to be Americans. i mean look at them. 90% live with in a stones throw of the boarder. (tongue in cheek)

No, we don't. Trust me.

We live close to the border because that's where the infrastructure is, and that's where it's warmer.

 

I think Americans want to be Canadians. That is why you wear maple leaves when you go traveling isn't it?

[Jaybird]

ive been out done

[JAKEBAB]

In Australia we have been able to do it for years u just have to pay a fee which is usually like $100 also anyone who says america is backwards thinking country come to australia with our recent government they want to use hfc cable and fttn for our upgrade instead of fttp which will cost less in the future just mind boggling.

[wpirobotbuilder]

So what? It means that a store can't unlock a batch of 10,000 phones to sell with different carrier. You, the average person, can still take your phone and move to a different carrier.

[Radioactive Ghoul]

And... the thread became a USA history class lol

[minimalist]

You're from Belgium, a forward thinking country.

The U.S. is a backwards thinking country.

 

It's simple really...

 

You seem to really hate America.  I see many posts from you talking negatively about America, yet you live here.  Why don't you just leave?  No one is forcing you to live here.  You know that, right?