An overwhelming majority of Americans support federal regulations to mandate mobile phone unlocking, a move that could save households thousands of dollars annually while increasing consumer market competition.

Key Points

• Approximately 90% of American consumers support the right to switch service providers without penalties or fees associated with locked devices.
• Households could save between $1,200 and $2,200 annually by switching to more affordable plans, according to data from the Internet and Television Association and WhistleOut.
• Locked phones suffer a 20% to 40% reduction in resale value, costing individual sellers between $125 and $150 per device.
• Senator Cynthia Lummis and other lawmakers are urging the FCC to implement a 180-day waiting period for unlocking to balance fraud prevention with consumer choice.
• The policy aims to establish a precedent for ownership rights regarding emerging technologies, including drones and smart-home robotics.

Why it Matters

Mandating phone unlocking addresses a significant financial burden for families, as the estimated $2,400 annual cost of device locking exceeds average monthly housing or transportation expenses. Establishing these ownership rights now creates a vital regulatory framework that will protect consumer freedom as more advanced, interconnected devices become common in daily life.