FCC Says Verizon Can SIM Lock Phones Again
Most phone carriers in the US lock the phones they sell to the network, ensuring you have to remain a customer for some length of time. Verizon hasn’t been able to lock any of its LTE devices because of commitments it made years back. Now, the FCC has agreed to partially waive that requirement, allowing Verizon to lock devices to its network for 60 days.
Verizon found itself in this situation because it really wanted to get its hands on a juicy block of spectrum back in 2008. Analog TV stations had vacated the prized 700MHz C Block spectrum, and the FCC auctioned the license for use building LTE networks. Google participated in the early phases of the auction in order to push the price past $4.6 billion, triggering several open access policies. As a result, Verizon had to agree not to SIM lock LTE devices when it won the bidding at $4.7 billion.
This never set right with Verizon, which unsuccessfully sued the FCC in an attempt to overturn the open-devices requirement. In the last few years, Verizon has started claiming that the SIM unlocked device requirement has made its phones more prone to theft during shipping. In February, it asked the FCC for a waiver so it could at least temporarily lock the devices it sells.
The one exception to the unlocking requirement is when Verizon determines a handset was purchased through fraud. In that instance, it can keep the device locked and blacklist it from the network, which makes it virtually worthless.
The LTE radios in modern smartphones are essentially universal, so this drastically reduces the functionality of Verizon’s phones out of the box. Although, it is still a better setup than you get with other US carriers. They’ll only unlock phones after you’ve completely paid them off. Verizon would probably prefer to operate like its competitors, but it’s still hamstrung by the original C Block auction rules.
Continue reading
Samsung Starts Rolling Out Galaxy S20 Android 11 Update on Verizon
Not only does this include the Googley Android 11 enhancements, but it also has numerous Samsung-specific changes as part of the One UI 3.0 revamp.
Verizon’s New 4G Network Is Faster Than Its 5G
After some recent upgrades, Verizon's LTE is now faster than its 5G.
Verizon Partners with Amazon to Deploy Satellite Internet
Verizon will use Amazon's upcoming Kuiper satellite internet for backhaul, boosting coverage in rural areas where bandwidth is in short supply.
Verizon, AT&T Delay 5G C-Band Launch Over Aircraft Interference Concerns
The C-band rollout was previously set for December 5th, but the Wall Street Journal now reports it will be January 5th at the earliest. At issue is the potential interference with the safety systems of some aircraft.