Cell carriers T-Mobile & AT&T are opposing the FCC plan to require phones to be unlocked after 60 days and say locked is better for customers.

When the FCC proposed the 60-day unlocking rule in July 2024, the agency criticized T-Mobile for locking prepaid phones for a year. The NPRM pointed out that "T-Mobile recently increased its locking period for one of its brands, Metro by T-Mobile, from 180 days to 365 days."

T-Mobile and AT&T this week responded to the FCC’s proposed rule requiring providers unlock phones within 60 days of activation—even if they’re under contract and not paid off yet.

Mobile's Michele Thomas, the proposed rule could force carriers to abandon their device payment plans, thereby impacting customers. The carrier also questioned the FCC's

T-Mobile has said that its customers could see handset subsidies reduce by as much as 70% should the FCC's new rule go into effect.

Network carriers T-Mobile and AT&T released their response to the rule this week. The proposal would require carriers to unlock phones with 60 days of activation, even if under co

Mobile carriers argue that locking devices helps them lower costs. Consumer protection groups see it a little differently.

Gee, I sure love paying for a phone that can’t be moved from my draconian cell phone network,” said no one ever. But that appears to be the sentiment echoed by American networks AT&T and T-Mobile in response to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).