Verizon Faces Pushback on Handset Locking Waiver

Smaller carriers are lining up against Verizon, which asked the FCC to let it adopt a temporary, 60-day lock on 4G LTE handsets to ensure bona fide customers are purchasing the handsets. Verizon faces special restrictions because of the rules for the 700 C-block spectrum the carrier bought at auction. “This targeted, 60-day period will enable Verizon to determine whether a new device was obtained by a legitimate customer who makes the first payment on that device and that the payment clears processing,” it replied, posted Monday in docket 06-150. “This is similar to, though narrower than, the locking practices of other large U.S. wireless carriers, except that unlike all other carriers Verizon will unlock the device automatically at the end of the 60-day period, regardless of whether the device has been fully paid off.” The Rural Wireless Association said the FCC should reject the request. “When the Commission adopted its open access requirements in the 700 MHz Order, including the handset locking rule, it did so based on a complete record and with clarity,” RWA said. T-Mobile and other carriers opposed Verizon in initial comments. “Rules governing devices using the 700 MHz C Block were adopted based on a record that leaves little doubt about what the Commission intended,” T-Mobile said.