Sprint agrees to unlock its phones for California customers to settle a class-action lawsuit, but being a CDMA carrier, Sprint does not have a SIM card that user can pop in and out. Sprint customers could theoretically use their phones on similar networks like Verizon, if Verizon agrees. However, there is still a termination fee if users are still under a service contract.
It is more exciting to think about the ramifications of this settlement, for GSM carriers like T-Mobile and Cingular, whose phone have a SIM card that can be replaced easily by users. AT&T recently came under fire from iPhone users and a similar class-action suit is already at least in the preparation stage.
I think customers should be able to unlock their phones at will. As long as they pay for their service or if they pay the termination fee, they should be in control of their device.
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