AT&T Talks Handset Unlocking Timelines With FCC
Requiring providers to unlock handsets within 60 days of activation, even if not paid off, would encourage handset-related arbitrage, fraud and trafficking and increase providers’ bad debt, according to AT&T. It said an unlocking requirement would create a disincentive for…
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providers to continue offering aggressive handset promotions and flexible handset financing. Recapping a meeting with FCC Wireless Bureau and Office of Economics and Analytics staffers, AT&T said in a docket 24-186 filing posted Wednesday that arguments for 180-day unlocking periods for prepaid and postpaid handsets miss that the different business models of the two offerings dictate various results. It said prepaid customers may not pay every month, so prepaid providers might need more than 180 days from device activation to recover subsidies on a device. AT&T said prepaid unlocking shouldn't be required any sooner than six months after activation, as that is typically enough time to recover the subsidy on most prepaid devices and to mitigate most device fraud and theft risks.