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The Honorable Tom Wheeler 
Chairman 
Federal Communications Commission 
445 12th Street, Southwest 
Washington, DC 20554 
Dear Chairman Wheeler: 
WASHINGTON, DC 20510 
April29, 2014 
We write to request an update on efforts to protect consumer choice in the secondary 
market for used mobile devices. We appreciate the work the Commission did to conclude the 
voluntary agreement with the carriers to make the unlocking process easier for individual 
consumers. Nevertheless, we remain concerned in some cases the bulk unlocking process is 
needlessly complicated and cumbersome for consumers using third-party resellers to unlock their 
wireless phones. 
As you know, many consumers seeking to upgrade mobile phones will sell their used 
devices to have funds necessary to purchase a new device or otherwise responsibly reduce 
clutter. Unfortunately, it is much more difficult for owners of phones which are locked to a 
carrier to fmd a second life for their phones. In the past, bulk resellers have been able to buy old 
locked phones at rates comparable to that of unlocked phones, and handle the unlocking 
process-which can be a tedious and multi-day affair for an individual consumer-on behalf of 
their customers. These resellers depend on established relationships with carriers to unlock 
phones quickly and efficiently, so long as appropriate identifying information is presented and 
contractual obligations have been met. 
However, as reported by the Wall Street Journal, at least one carrier has stopped 
accepting bulk unlocking requests by resellers, reducing the resale value of a used device by as 
much as $100. This action can suppress competition in the resale market, making it more 
difficult for consumers who would like to put old devices to good use and reducing the supply 
for buyers who might not be able to afford a phone at full price. We are concerned that this 
decision threatens a formerly vibrant used mobile device market in which consumers received 
competitive offers for their eligible devices regardless of whether the device was locked. 
We strongly believe consumers should be able to realize the value in the mobile devices 
they already own in the same way consumers enjoy most personal and real property. We are 
pleased with CTIA's voluntary mobile wireless device unlocking commitment, announced 
December 12, 2013, and recognize the commitment as an important step in enabling consumers 
to freely use the mobile devices they rightfully own. However, the commitment does not address 
legitimate resellers, and we encourage the Commission to work with the carriers to address our 
concerns. 
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We also want to emphasize that we support efforts by carriers and law enforcement 
agencies to stop the proliferation of devices obtained by theft or fraud. Many of us are at the 
forefront of the effort in the Senate to eliminate mobile device theft and associated violent crime. 
We agree that new devices should not be bought and sold under fraudulent circumstances so as 
to immediately capture the carrier's subsidy for a mobile device. However, there exist legitimate 
resellers who have strict checks in place and vet customers using the same comprehensive lost or 
stolen device database used by wireless carriers. Accordingly, we should work to promote 
consumers' ability to engage in business with legitimate resellers. 
We appreciate your attention to important issue on behalf of consumers and look forward 
to hearing what steps are being taken in this important area. 
~,(,tJ~~ 
RICHARD BLUMENTHAL 
United States Senate 
United States Senate 
Sincerely, 
~jy~ 
United States Senate 
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A~ lL\~ AMY~CHAR 
United States Senate 
United States Senate