U.S. House of Representatives on Friday passed a bill that allows subscribers to make "unlocked" phones - unlock their mobile devices and to move from one operator to another with existing smartphone. In mid-July, the law , the U.S. Senate approved .
The law stipulates that unlocking can not be punished unless the subscriber has fulfilled all contractual obligations to the cell phone company. Following the approval of both houses of Congress remains the law signed by President Barack Obama.
Most subscribers in the U.S. get phones at a reduced price in exchange for signing long, usually two-year contracts with cellular companies. Phone is locked so that it can not be used in another network provider.
The need to adopt a law arose after the agency in charge of copyright Library of Congress decided that an independent phone unlocking infringing cellular operators. This, in particular, jeopardize the prosecution of those who carried out the so-called "Unlock" - Self unlock phone provider without notice.
It is worth noting that in passing the law, the U.S. Senate removed the restriction on "wholesale unlock" mobile devices, which was designed to limit the activities of companies buying up massively contract phones and selling them under the guise of officially unlocked.