COMM
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
November 14, 2013
Mr. Steve Largent
President and CEO
CTIA - The Wireless Association®
1400 16th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Dear Steve,
During my first week on the job, I continually emphasized the importance of competition
and the FCC's receptiveness to voluntary industry activities to promote competition. For eight
months, the FCC staff has been working with CTIA on an amendment to your Consumer Code in
which this industry would address consumers' rights to unlock their mobile wireless devices
once their contracts are fulfilled.
The Commission has indicated that any such policy must contain five parts: (a) provide a
clear, concise, and readily accessible policy on unlocking; (b) unlock mobile wireless devices for
customers, former customers, and legitimate owners when the applicable service contract,
installment plan, or ETF has been fulfilled; (c) affirmatively notify customers when their devices
are eligible for unlocking and/or automatically unlock devices when eligible, without an
additional fee; (d) process unlocking requests or provide an explanation of denial within two
business days; and (e) unlock devices for military personnel upon deployment. It appears that
CTIA and the FCC are in agreement on all but the third item regarding consumer notification.
Absent the consumer's right to be informed about unlocking eligibility, any voluntary program
would be a hollow shell.
We are anxious to work with you and your members to resolve this matter expeditiously.
Enough time has passed, and it is now time for the industry to act voluntarily or for the FCC to
regulate. Let's set a goal of including the full unlocking rights policy in the CTIA Consumer
Code before the December holiday season.
We look forward to working with you on this policy as well as continuing to work
together after its adoption to monitor its implementation.
Sincerely,
Om e r
Chairman