Chile requires all cellphones to be sold unlocked
updated 02:25 pm EST, Wed January 4, 2012
Number portability to follow mid-month
Subtel, the regulatory arm of the Chilean government, has mandated that, as of this past January 2, all cellphones sold in that country must be unlocked. The move is part of Chile's efforts to make cellphone numbers and service more portable within that country. This follows on another announcement by Subtel that number portability will be mandatory starting January 16.
The regulator said it issued the new rules in an effort to make the Chilean cellular service market more open and more competitive. Users who have purchased cellphones prior to January 2 can go online to have their phones unlocked at no cost.
Chile is following actions taken by several other governments, including Singapore and Israel, to force providers to sell their phones unlocked. There are no similar requirements in countries with large installed wireless phone customer bases, such as the US or UK, to force cellular companies to unlock their phones. However, many service providers in these countries will do that if requested once a contract is up. [via The Verge]
