Japan set to revise national SIM lock system?

The Japanese government is looking deep into the SIM lock system used by national wireless providers that aims to keep users from switching service by swapping out the SIM cards in their handsets. According to a Monday report, communications minister Kazuhiro Haraguchi is questioning this restriction and the government will hear from businesses and users at a conference on Friday on the issue. Japan's three major mobile carriers currently sell handsets that accept only their respective SIM cards, preventing anyone from carrying one phone to another carrier or getting third-party SIMs abroad.

European and North American GSM carriers normally allow customers to bring their own phones to the networks if they're unlocked and can similarly cancel without having to pay a penalty for a contract. Most customers don't opt for this route, but both Google and Nokia have encouraged the practice in the US so far.

The top Japanese provider, NTT DoCoMo, has already threatened possible curbs on its service if it's forced to allow unlocked device. If the SIM lock is abolished, the provider may limit the types of unique services it provides, mainly special Internet and networking services. NTT is best known for its i-Mode service, but this has also taken less importance as smartphones often have their own advanced e-mail and web access.

By Electronista Staff