TracFone Agrees To Unlock Subscriber Handsets

TracFone agreed to put in place a mechanism allowing its handsets to be unlocked, the FCC Enforcement Bureau said Wednesday. A bureau investigation found that the company violated rules by improperly certifying that it would unlock phones for customers enrolled in the agency’s Lifeline program, the bureau said. “To settle this violation, the company has agreed to transition all its phones to be unlockable, thus allowing both Lifeline and non-Lifeline customers the freedom to choose to use their devices on other networks.” The bureau estimated that at least 8 million customers could benefit from the settlement. TracFone must notify customers by Sept. 1 about its new unlocking policy, the bureau said. “Unlocking of cell phones has been widely embraced by the wireless industry and by consumers across the country,” said bureau Chief Travis LeBlanc. “Today’s agreement ensures that millions of eligible TracFone customers will be able to use their phones on any compatible network they choose.” "TracFone is pleased to have worked closely with the FCC on the Consent Decree released today," the low-cost carrier said in an emailed comment. "Significantly, the Consent Decree contains no admission of liability and no monetary penalty. TracFone’s industry leading commitment to bring free unlockable phones to its Lifeline program and its further commitment to provide unlockable phones throughout its entire business line demonstrate TracFone’s continuing efforts to bring its customers the greatest value in the wireless industry."