STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER JESSICA ROSENWORCEL
Re: Cellphone Unlocking Presentation (December 12, 2013)
We are a nation with more wireless phones than people. Many of us count on our mobile phones 
to do so much more than communicate through voice calls. We download our whole lives into 
our hand-held digital devices. No wonder they are always in our pockets, in our purses, and on 
our persons.
So earlier this year many of us were taken aback when a longstanding interpretation of the 
Digital Millennium Copyright Act was changed. The Librarian of Congress determined that 
going forward, it would be unlawful for consumers to unlock their mobile phones and take them 
with them when they want to switch wireless providers. That means that simply taking your 
wireless phone to another network could subject you to criminal penalties—or even jail.
There is a lot that can be said about this decision. But for starters, I think that is one powerful 
librarian. I also think this new approach does not make sense. Because if you have a mobile 
device, want to unlock it, and you are not bound by a service contract—you should be able to use 
it on another network. That makes our markets for wireless service more competitive—and that 
benefits consumers.
So today we announce that working with wireless providers, we have forged an agreement that 
will provide consumers with clear notice of their right to request unlocking of their prepaid and 
postpaid devices and timely compliance by the provider. I am especially pleased that the 
agreement gives deployed service members the ability to stay in touch with their loved ones back 
home. It is also the perfect complement to Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, which allows 
service members to suspend or cancel long-term their wireless contracts without penalty or extra 
fees when deployed for 90 days or longer. This is an agreement I support, and I thank the 
Chairman for bringing it to our attention and making it part of our meeting today.