The Senate passed S. 517: Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act by unanimous consent on July 15, 2014 and will go to the House for consideration.
The legislative act would allow consumers to “unlock” their cell phone in order to switch providers after honoring their contract with the carrier.
The bill was sponsored by Patrick Leahy (D, Vermont) and introduced in March 2014.
“This straightforward restoring bill is about promoting consumer rights,” Leahy said when the bill was introduced last year. “When consumers finish the terms of their contract, they should be able to keep their phones and make their own decision about which wireless provider to use.”