U.S. Senator Katie Britt Leads Colleagues in Letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr Requesting Uniform Standard for Mobile Device Unlocking, Highlight Consumer Affordability

WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) today led several of her colleagues, including Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), in a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr.

Mobile phones in the United States often contain software that prevents the devices from being used on different mobile networks, making them "locked." This weakens competition among providers and often keeps families in unaffordable phone plans, despite more affordable plans being readily available. Consumers should be able to easily switch devices to a new wireless provider while continuing to pay off their device or if the device is already paid off. 93% of voters agree that this issue should be addressed.

In the letter, the Senators voice their support for the FCC's efforts to address affordability, writing, "We strongly support the Federal Communications Commission's efforts to address affordability for consumers by adopting a more uniform standard to mobile device unlocking rules. Due to President Trump and your work, the Consumer Price Index shows the overall real cost of wireless service declined over 6 percent last year."

The Senators continue, urging Chairman Carr to build on this work, saying, "We write to urge the Commission to finalize its rulemaking on mobile device unlocking to restore consumer freedom and competitive market principles so consumers can take full advantage of lower prices."

"Given the overwhelming public support, the Commission has a unique opportunity to make an impactful difference in American's lives by addressing affordability for consumers and promoting a vibrant and competitive mobile marketplace for years to come,"wrote the Senators. "… Device unlocking is pro-consumer, pro-competition, and represents an opportunity to fulfill another aspect of President Trump's affordability agenda."

The full text of the letter can be found here.

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