FCC Ends Verizon's 60-Day Phone Unlock Rule

The landscape of device ownership has shifted for Verizon customers. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has officially lifted a restriction that required the carrier to automatically unlock devices after a 60-day period.

This regulatory change grants Verizon the ability to keep devices locked within its network for the entirety of the user's payment plan. It marks the end of a specific mandate that previously governed how and when the carrier could release devices for use on competing networks.

The core of the change lies in the removal of the 60-day automatic unlock requirement. Previously, this rule was a binding condition for the carrier.

Now, Verizon is permitted to maintain network locks on devices until the financial obligation is met. This aligns the unlocking process directly with the terms of the payment plan.

Key aspects of the new policy include:

• Devices can remain locked for the full payment term
• Removal of the automatic 60-day unlock trigger
• Greater control over device distribution by the carrier

For consumers, this policy adjustment introduces a new variable to device ownership. The ability to switch carriers immediately after the 60-day mark is no longer guaranteed by federal regulation.

Instead, device portability is now contingent on the completion of the payment plan. This ties the physical device more tightly to the service contract for the long term.

The change highlights the intersection of consumer flexibility and carrier business models.

The FCC is the governing body responsible for this regulatory adjustment. By lifting the restriction, the commission alters the specific conditions previously applied to Verizon.

The decision effectively removes a specific barrier for the carrier, allowing them to enforce stricter locking policies based on financing terms rather than a fixed timeline.

The restriction required Verizon to automatically unlock devices after 60 days.

This move allows Verizon to keep devices locked within the network for the duration of the user's payment plan. It ensures that the device remains a part of the Verizon ecosystem until the subsidy or financing is fully paid off.

While the carrier has this new authority, the specific implementation details will likely be outlined in future updates to their terms of service. Customers will need to review their agreements to understand the exact unlocking timeline.

The removal of the 60-day unlock rule represents a significant win for Verizon's network retention strategy. It fundamentally changes the unlocking timeline for millions of potential customers.

Consumers should now pay closer attention to the specific unlocking policies associated with their device financing plans. The regulatory safety net of a 60-day automatic unlock is gone.