Earlier this year, T-Mobile expressed its intention in purchasing Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile– two brands owned by Ka’ena Corporation. And in a meeting with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) a few weeks ago, representatives of the two companies presented an argument on why the $1.35 billion deal should get approved.
In its presentation, the Un-carrier used Verizon’s TracFone Wireless acquisition as an example. It pointed out that its acquisition of Ka’ena Corporation will be a much easier case compared to the 2021 acquisition, which extended the 60-day unlocking period to TracFone-purchased 700MHz C-block devices that were activated on its network.
As reported by Fierce Wireless, this does not sit well with Verizon Wireless. In particular, Verizon pointed out that handset unlocking never became an issue when they acquired TracFone.
In its July 11 filing, Verizon told the FCC: “No commenter in that proceeding raised handset unlocking as a concern.”
It also pointed out that they “automatically unlock handsets after 60 days,” which is “the most consumer-friendly arrangement in the industry.”
It’s worth pointing out that the FCC approved Verizon’s 60-day device lock in 2019 to prevent handset-related fraud and identity theft. But after the 60-day period is over, Verizon automatically unlocks these phones whether they have been fully paid off or not.
Verizon also told the commission:
“T-Mobile, like most other wireless carriers, has much more restrictive locking policies that limit consumers’ ability to switch carriers or devices. It locks its postpaid customers’ handsets until the devices are fully paid – up to 24 months. Prepaid customers must wait 365 days after the device is activated on T-Mobile’s network and customers are limited to two device unlocks per twelve months. Metro by T-Mobile locks handsets for 180 days.”
“It is odd, then, for T-Mobile to draw attention to Verizon’s unlocking policies in support of its request for streamlined review of its transaction. If T-Mobile plans to commit to more pro-consumer unlocking policies similar to those that Verizon makes available to its customers in the hopes of receiving streamlined consideration, it should specify the details of such a commitment in a filing with the commission. Otherwise, Verizon’s pro-consumer unlocking policies are of no relevance to this transaction.”
Source: Fierce Wireless
