FCC's Mike O'Rielly comments on Verizon locking phones.

Our post from yesterday about Verizon's soon to be new locking policy has received a response from a member of the FCC, Mike O'Rielly, seem to quickly want to warrant Verizon an exception:

Preventing wireless phones from being stolen? Seems like a great case for an @FCC rule waiver – if needed. https://t.co/vjH0ICpKUM

— Mike O’Rielly (@mikeofcc) February 13, 2018

This led to a reply from Public Knowledge's Senior Vice President, Harold Feld:

Perhaps an investigation into circumstances before leaping to a conclusion would be in order? Might be OK, might not be. Might be for safety. might be anticompetitive.

If only we had agency that could investigate! Oh wait . . .

— (((haroldfeld))) (@haroldfeld) February 13, 2018

Followers of the wireless industry will say that the FCC always seems to do whatever Verizon wants.

When Verizon was granted approval to use the block of spectrum that gave its users 4G, a cause was added that all devices must be unlocked and free to move to other carriers. Verizon agreed but then tried to sue to have it removed.

This does seem like one way Verizon is getting around a rule they never really agreed with.