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The chair of the Federal Communications Commission proposed a new rule that could make it easier for consumers to unlock their cellphones. The proposed regulation, which the agency announced on Thursday<\/a>, would require mobile providers to unlock consumers\u2019 phones within 60 days of activation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Under current regulations, consumers who want to unlock their phone \u2014 as in, freeing up a phone so it can move from one network to another \u2014 are at the mercy of their service provider. Per the FCC<\/a>, consumers who want to unlock their device should contact their service provider to find out when and how their phone can be unlocked. To then unlock a device, a consumer must be in \u201cgood standing\u201d with their provider, meaning their phone must be paid off or they\u2019ll have to pay an early termination fee. (This works a bit differently for people with prepaid phone plans, which \u201cparticipating providers\u201d will usually unlock within a year of activation, depending on their individual requirements.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In a press release, the FCC said updated rules around unlocking phones would give consumers more flexibility. \u201cReal competition benefits from transparency and consistency,\u201d FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement<\/a>. \u201cThat is why we are proposing clear, nationwide mobile phone unlocking rules. When you buy a phone, you should have the freedom to decide when to change service to the carrier you want and not have the device you own stuck by practices that prevent you from making that choice.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n There are few details about the proposed rule at the moment. The FCC\u2019s press release notes that it will have an open meeting on July 18th, during which it will vote on the notice of proposed rulemaking regarding the expansion of the unlocking requirements. After the 18th, the FCC will seek comment on the proposed rule, whether the new requirement should be applied to current or future contracts, and whether it could benefit smaller service providers and phone resellers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n