The agency waived a provider-specific mandate due to fraud and theft.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently waived a 2007 rule requiring that all Verizon phones be unlocked 60 days after activation, earlier than the standard industry practice of one year.
“Sophisticated criminal networks have exploited the FCC’s handset unlocking policies to carry out criminal acts—including transnational handset trafficking schemes and facilitating broader criminal enterprises like drug running and human smuggling,“ Chairman Brendan Carr stated. “By waiving a regulation that incentivized bad actors to target one particular carrier’s handsets for theft, we now have a uniform industry standard that can help stem the flow of handsets into the black market.”
The FCC had extended the regulation in 2021 during Verizon’s acquisition of Tracfone. Last year, Verizon sought an update of the law, informing the FCC that the company had lost approximately 784,703 devices due to fraudulent activity.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Chairman Carr to receive God’s wisdom as he heads the Federal Communications Commission.
- For members of the FCC as they consider companies’ feedback and concerns over industry laws.
Sources: Reuters, Federal Communications Commission
