Editing SIM lock (section)

== Laws and practices ==
{{More citations needed|section|date=August 2023}}
Many countries listed below have some form of SIM-locking laws specifying the period of SIM locking and the cost of obtaining unlocking codes.

===Andorra===
In [[Andorra]], the state-owned communications mobile company Mobiland does not sell SIM-locked phones. As there is no competition, consumers usually buy standard mobile phones that are not locked to any specific carrier.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

===Austria===
In [[Austria]], unlocking is allowed at any time by the owner of the device. A lawsuit was decided in favor of a mobile operator who encouraged the unlocking of phones by providing links to free/cheap unlocking services.<ref>[http://www.telekom-presse.at/channel_mobile/news_19836.html „YESSS! gegen T-Mobile Klage erfolgreich“] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930090446/http://www.telekom-presse.at/channel_mobile/news_19836.html |date=2013-09-30 }}, Telekompresse-Bericht über das Urteil zugunsten von YESSS!, 2005-06-29</ref>

T-Mobile Austria charges 150 euros to unlock the iPhone for prepaid subscribers and in contract subscribers. For subscribers who have finished their 2-year iPhone contract, T-Mobile Austria charges 50 euros to unlock the iPhone.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://faq.t-mobile.at/app/answers/detail/a_id/854/~/entsperrung-des-iphone |title=Entsperrung des iPhone |publisher=Faq.t-mobile.at |date=2010-05-14 |access-date=2013-06-21}}</ref>

=== Australia ===
In [[Australia]], carriers can choose whether to SIM/Network Lock handsets or not, however in practice, is rarely performed except in limited cases. Almost all handsets available on the Australian market have no such restriction.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

One law professor, Dale Clapperton, gave a talk stating that bundling iPhone and mobile phone service could be violating the Trade Practices Act.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.news.com.au/news/iphone-could-fall-foul-of-law/story-fna7dq6e-1111115642334 | title=Latest Reviews | date=February 25, 2008}}</ref>  However, no other legal professional or academic has come out in support of this viewpoint.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.builderau.com.au/news/soa/Legal-schmegal-Aussie-iPhone-will-still-be-locked/0,339028227,339286350,00.htm |title=TechRepublic - A Resource for IT Professionals |publisher=Builderau.com.au |access-date=2013-06-21}}</ref>  This also doesn't address SIM locking ''per se'', only as applied to subsidised iPhone purchases, and persistence of the lock beyond the contractual period.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

=== Belgium ===
Until 2007, [[Belgium]] had laws prohibiting bundling, but they were challenged as violating European [[Directive 2005/29/EC The Unfair Commercial Practices Directive]]. On April 23, 2009, the [[European Court of Justice]] ruled against Belgium and struck down Belgium's anti-bundling law.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=Rechercher$docrequire=alldocs&numaff=C-261/07&datefs=&datefe=&nomusuel=&domaine=&mots=&resmax=100|title=Belgium law was struck down.|access-date=7 October 2014}}</ref>  The Belgian government was given until May 2009 to change the law, failing which the European Commission would commence proceedings against Belgium. {{Citation needed|date=August 2023}} This leaves Canada, China, Singapore, and Israel as the only countries in the world that forbid SIM locking and contract/phone bundling outright.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/09/AR2008070902217.html|title=High iPhone Price Blamed on Subsidy Ban|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=7 October 2014}}</ref><ref name="crtc-simlockban" /> Chile initiated a ban as of January 1, 2012.

=== Brazil ===
In [[Brazil]], SIM locks are not prohibited. However, the mobile carrier must inform the consumer of the existence of a SIM lock. Anatel, Brazil's telecom regulator, requires the carrier to unlock free of charge the mobile phone if required by the user. After this regulation most telecom operators started voluntarily unlocking the devices as soon as it was purchased so one could leave the store with an unlocked phone.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anatel.gov.br/hotsites/smp/bloqueio.htm|title=Bloqueio|publisher=Anatel|language=pt|access-date=25 October 2012}}</ref>

=== Canada ===
Under revisions to the [[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission]] (CRTC) Wireless Code of Conduct effective 1 December 2017, all new devices must be sold unlocked, and carriers must offer to unlock phones purchased prior to this date free of charge.<ref name="crtc-simlockban">{{cite web|title=Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2017-200|date=15 June 2017|url=http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2017/2017-200.htm|publisher=CRTC|access-date=15 June 2017}}</ref> Fees may be required if the customer was not under a contract or prepaid plan with the carrier.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2019/2019-169.htm|title=Wireless Code – Request to clarify the device unlocking rules|date=2019-05-23|publisher=CRTC|access-date=2019-06-05}}</ref>

After the implementation of this rule, [[Bell Canada]] initially refused to offer unlocks for users who were not customers of the carrier (in contrast to [[Rogers Communications|Rogers]] and [[Telus Communications]]), but reversed course in February 2018 due to public backlash.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/bell-telecom-free-phone-unlocking-crtc-1.4517373|title=Bell offers free phone unlocking for all following protests|work=CBC News|access-date=2018-08-13|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/bell-crtc-free-phone-unlocking-1.4446825|title='It's ridiculous': Critics blast Bell for not unlocking all phones for free under new CRTC rules|work=CBC News|access-date=2018-08-13|language=en-US}}</ref> In a filing to the CRTC in August 2018, Bell also stated that it had begun to reimplement SIM locks on unsold phones as an anti-theft and safety measure (the phones are unlocked during the activation process when sold to a customer), citing increases in theft from store stocks since the implementation of the prohibition.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mobilesyrup.com/2018/08/13/bell-returns-to-stocking-carrier-locked-phones-at-retail-locations/|title=Bell returns to stocking carrier-locked phones at retail locations|date=2018-08-13|work=MobileSyrup|access-date=2018-08-13|language=en-US}}</ref>

Under the original version of the Wireless Code implemented 2013, carriers were required to offer unlocks no later than 90 calendar days from the start of a contract for subsidized devices, or immediately upon purchase of an unsubsidized device. The Code, however, did not expressly prohibit carriers from charging an unlock fee.<ref name="crtc-simlockban">{{cite web|title=Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2017-200|date=15 June 2017|url=http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2017/2017-200.htm|publisher=CRTC|access-date=15 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/com100/2013/r130603.htm#.Uee_cl3D-00|title=Canadians can cancel their wireless contracts after two years under new CRTC wireless code|publisher=CRTC|access-date=2013-06-03}}</ref>

Prior to the introduction of the Wireless Code, [[New Democratic Party]] MP [[Bruce Hyer]] first attempted to mandate SIM unlocking at the end of cell phone contracts when he introduced a [[private member's bill]] entitled the [[Cell Phone Freedom Act]] in 2010. The act would not have banned SIM locking but would have required wireless carriers to unlock phones at no charge at the end of a cell phone contract. The bill was introduced in two sessions of parliament but failed to pass either time.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

=== China ===
Under a regulation enacted by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, locking phones to a specific carrier is prohibited if other carriers are also using the same type of network technology. Therefore, all phones approved to be sold in China are never locked to begin with regardless of whether the consumer purchased the phone under a contract or not. However, since all three Chinese carriers each uses a different network technology after the adoption of 3G, carriers started to ask phone manufacturers to disable support for network technologies not used by such carrier even if the phone has been originally designed to be capable of supporting those network technologies. Such a move does not result in violation of the ban on phone locking. For example, an iPhone 6 was designed to be capable of supporting LTE FDD, LTE TD, CDMA, and [[UMTS|WCDMA]] technologies but China Mobile reached a deal with Apple to create a special model for China Mobile in addition to the off-contract retail model sold by Apple and third party vendors with the capability to support LTE FDD, CDMA, WCDMA, which are the technologies not used by China Mobile, disabled, effectively making such special contract model incompatible with the 3G and 4G networks of other carriers even though such phones are never locked.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

=== Colombia ===
Starting October 1, 2011, all the mobile telephone services providers, must sell to all users unlocked devices and provide free of charge support to unlock previously sold devices. This regulation was ordered to enable [[mobile number portability]] and to facilitate the reduction on costs ordered simultaneously.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mintic.gov.co/index.php/mn-news/430-20110930bandas |title=Desde el 1 de octubre los colombianos podrán comprar los celulares con las bandas abiertas, una medida del gobierno que fortalece los derechos de los usuarios de telecomunicaciones en el país |publisher=Mintic.gov.co |access-date=2013-06-21}}</ref>

=== Chile ===
Since 1 January 2012, newly sold phones must be unlocked. Previously bought locked phones had to be unlocked for free. The regulation was put in place in order to implement [[mobile number portability]].<ref name="Chile-ban">{{cite web|title=Empezó a regir desbloqueo de equipos celulares|url=http://historico.subtel.gob.cl/noticias/141-portabilidad-numerica-fija-movil/2303-empezo-a-regir-desbloqueo-de-equipos-celulares|publisher=Subsecretario de Telecomunicaciones|access-date=13 August 2015|language=es|date=2 January 2012|quote=Normativa de SUBTEL establece que desde el 01 de enero de 2012, todos los equipos terminales que sean utilizados en las redes móviles, no deberán, desde el momento de su ofrecimiento al público bajo cualquier modalidad contractual, estar bloqueados o afectos a configuraciones técnicas que restrinjan su uso sólo a la red de una operadora.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017082659/http://historico.subtel.gob.cl/noticias/141-portabilidad-numerica-fija-movil/2303-empezo-a-regir-desbloqueo-de-equipos-celulares|archive-date=2015-10-17|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, the law only requires phones to be usable with all Chilean providers. It does not cover international unlocking for use outside Chile, so users may have to pay for the unlocking service.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

A new related issue is present since 23 September 2017, every IMEI have to be registered so the phone works in the country. For local carriers, they do the process, but to use a phone from outside the country, each user has to register it. [[IMEI Registration]].<ref name="Chile-IMEI-ban">{{cite web|title=Homologación y registro multibanda|url=https://www.registratuimei.cl/|publisher=Subsecretario de Telecomunicaciones|access-date=13 August 2015|language=es|date=23 September 2017|quote=A partir del 23 de septiembre entra en vigencia la nueva normativa multibanda SAE la cual exige que se registre tu IMEI o número único de identificación celular en las redes locales Chilenas.}}</ref>

=== Croatia ===
In [[Croatia]], for devices bought on contract, the mobile operator must provide the unlock code on the user's request free of charge. Such request can be made immediately after buying the phone, and the operator has a 15-day period to fulfill the request. For devices bought on a prepaid plan, the user has to wait at least 12 months before submitting such request.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hakom.hr/UserDocsImages/2015/propisi_pravilnici_zakoni/Izmjene%20i%20dopune%20Pravilnika%20iz%20%C4%8Dl.%2034_20150224.pdf |title=Pravilnik o načinu i uvjetima obavljanja djelatnosti elektroničkih komunikacijskih mreža i usluga (izmjene od NN 24/15) |publisher=HAKOM |access-date=2015-10-10}}</ref>

=== Denmark ===
The carrier can choose to bind contracts up to 6 months from the contract's start. Many of the carriers choose not to lock the phones. Only Hi3G ("3") lock their phones, but can only do so for six months.<ref name="Teleselskaber dropper simlås">{{cite web|url=https://www.computerworld.dk/art/158476/teleselskaber-dropper-simlaas |title=Teleselskaber dropper simlås|date=20 May 2010}}</ref> If the phone needs to be unlocked within the first six months, the carrier can charge DKK 500 (~ €67)<ref name="Teleselskaber dropper simlås"/> for the unlock. After six months, the carrier is obliged by law to unlock the phone free of charge. But the consumer needs to contact the original supplier, and provide the IMEI and original phone number for which the phone was sold.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

=== Ecuador ===
Although there is no specific law preventing SIM locking, as of December 2009 [[Ecuador]]'s two biggest carriers, [[Porta (company)|Porta]] and [[Movistar]], unlock phones previously sold by them, without charge.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.porta.net/porta_web/promociones/postpago/promociones_planes/promociones_planes_214-6612.html |title=Claro - Ecuador |publisher=Porta.net |access-date=2013-06-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303051041/http://www.porta.net/porta_web/promociones/postpago/promociones_planes/promociones_planes_214-6612.html |archive-date=2011-03-03 }}</ref>

===European Union===
Countries in the [[European Union]] (EU) each have their own legislation on SIM locking, but must comply with the EU [[Unfair Commercial Practices Directive]] (Directive 2005/29/EC of 2005).  As noted above, this directive has been successfully applied in Belgium to overturn that country's previous ban on bundling phones with contracts.  However, carriers in many countries in the EU do not necessarily associate a phone's SIM lock status to the customer's tie-in contract status.

=== Finland ===
In [[Finland]], carriers are not allowed to sell SIM-locked GSM phones, nor are they allowed to offer tie-in sales on GSM equipment.  Under Finnish law, a tie-in sale is defined as selling the equipment for a discounted price contingent on the consumer also acquiring a new service contract from the seller. Under the terms of a provisional exception, valid from 2006 until 2009, tie-in sales were permitted with 3G handsets, and 3G equipment which is purchased under such tie-in sales may be SIM-locked.  The SIM lock must be removed free of charge at the conclusion of the tie-in contract, within a maximum duration of 2 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/2003/en20030393.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209120550/http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/2003/en20030393.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 9, 2008|title=Communications Market Act|website=finlex.fi|access-date=22 March 2018}}</ref>  In 2008, the Finnish government was preparing to extend the exception, and at the same time, was considering reducing the duration of tie-in contracts to one year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsroom.finland.fi/stt/showarticle.asp?intNWSAID=19647&group=Business|title=Newsroom - thisisFINLAND|website=finland.fi|access-date=22 March 2018}}</ref>

=== France ===
In [[France]], SIM locks are not prohibited. However, the mobile operator must inform the consumer of the existence of a SIM lock, and the subscriber has the right to request that the lock be removed at any time. No later than three months after the subscription of the contract, the mobile operator must "systematically and free of charge" provide the subscriber with a procedure to deactivate the SIM lock. Proposal to shorten the time that operators may charge a fee for removing the SIM lock prior from six-month to the three-month deadline.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.senat.fr/rap/l10-139/l10-139_mono.html |title=Proposition de loi relative aux télécommunications |publisher=Senat.fr |access-date=2013-06-21}}</ref>

=== Germany ===
In [[Germany]], there does not appear to be any effective law regulating SIM locking.{{Original research inline|date=May 2023}}  For example, the iPhone was initially offered for sale in Germany exclusively through T-Mobile, and it was locked to T-Mobile's network. They began to provide unlocking codes for that phone after they were sued by Vodafone and a temporary injunction was issued requiring T-Mobile to do so. Vodafone's injunction was later overturned, and the iPhone is again available exclusively locked to T-Mobile.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601100&sid=aUd5_GXQYwY0 | work=Bloomberg | title=Deutsche Telekom Wins Ruling in IPhone Sales Dispute (Update3) | date=December 4, 2007}}</ref>  While T-Mobile Germany told the court that they would unlock the iPhone after the contract, they were doing it voluntarily.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

While SIM locking is legal, a court ruled in 2012 that providers must clearly inform potential customers about the SIM lock.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Dr. Cornelius Renner|title=Nicht ohne SIM-Lock-Hinweis|url=http://medienrecht-blog.com/2012/11/19/lg_bonn_telekom_werbung_iphone_sim_lock_irrefuehrend/|website=medienrecht-blog.com|access-date=23 October 2015|language=de|quote=Wie die Wettbewerbszentrale mitteilt, hat das Landgericht Bonn mit Beschluss vom 1. Oktober 2012 – 11 O 39/12 – die Werbung der Telekom ohne (rechtzeitigen) Hinweis auf das SIM-Lock und das Netlock des Telefons als irreführend verboten.}}</ref>

As of 2015, usually only prepaid mobile phones are sold with a SIM lock. Phones sold with a contract stipulating monthly payments are not typically locked (as the monthly payments are due no matter what network the phone is used on). Also, most providers will unlock the phone on demand. Usually a fee is charged during the first two years after purchase; afterwards the unlocking is free. As of 2022, new phones are rarely distributed with a SIM lock;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ebert |first=Marina |title=SIMlock und Netlock: Das sind die Unterschiede |url=https://www.inside-digital.de/ratgeber/begriffserklaerung-simlock-netlock |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=inside digital |language=de-DE}}</ref> old phones however may still be locked.

=== Honduras ===
In [[Honduras]], there is a general law applicable to all consumer relations engaged in the national territory and provided by natural or legal persons, public or private. This law is called "Ley de Proteccion al Consumidor"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sic.gob.hn/transparencia/documentos/Leyes/Ley_de_Proteccion_al_Consumidor.pdf |title=Decreto No.24-2008 : El Congreso Nacional |publisher=Sic.gob.hn |access-date=2013-08-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120710010732/http://www.sic.gob.hn/transparencia/documentos/Leyes/Ley_de_Proteccion_al_Consumidor.pdf |archive-date=2012-07-10 }}</ref>  or "Consumer Protection Act of Honduras", approved by Legislative Decree No.24-2008, and it regulates the activities of any goods and services providers stating the principles that they must follow in order to operate in this country.

Article 20 of this law states the prohibitions that sellers are obliged to abide when selling a good or providing a service to people. Paragraph 7 of this article states that it is prohibited to a provider to "place seals, adhesives, duct tapes or analogous mechanisms, which prevent the consumer to make free use of the product, except those mechanisms used by the manufacturer for warranty purposes".

Even though the existence of this law, local carriers continue to apply SIM restrictions to the phones they sell.  For example, the iPhone is sold by Claro in Honduras and is SIM-locked.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1937 |title=iPhone: Wireless carrier support and features |publisher=Support.apple.com |date=2013-06-17 |access-date=2013-06-21}}</ref> which suggests that this general [[consumer protection]] law does not prohibit SIM locking of cell phones<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/02/the-law-against-unlocking-cellphones-is-anti-consumer-anti-business-and-anti-common-sense/272894/|title=The Law Against Unlocking Cellphones Is Anti-Consumer, Anti-Business, and Anti-Common Sense|date=September 2010|website=The Atlantic|language=en|access-date=2020-02-02}}</ref>

=== Hong Kong ===
In [[Hong Kong]], carriers are not allowed to SIM-lock a phone for the sole purpose of tying customers to their network. But Hong Kong carriers can SIM-lock a phone to protect the handset subsidy, to enforce mobile plan contracts or to protect from theft.<ref>[http://tel_archives.ofca.gov.hk/en/tas/mobile/ta970220.html OFTA, Office of the Telecommunications Authority, Hong Kong<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>  After the initial purchase subsidy has been recovered, or the full cost of the equipment has been paid up under a rental or installment agreement, the carrier must provide a detailed procedure for unlocking the equipment free of charge upon request.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

=== India ===
SIM locking is not common in [[India]]. Initially, each state in India had a different [[mobile network operator]] and [[roaming]] across states was prohibitive. It was cheaper to change the [[Subscriber identity module|SIM card]] than pay high roaming charges. The number of inter-state travelers demanded unlocked phones. Usually, phones and SIM cards are sold separately. Mobile phone manufacturers sell phones directly to customers rather than through network operators. [[Dual SIM]] phones are quite common in use, with users choosing to make calls using a cheaper operator suitable for the particular call and time of the day from a Dual SIM phone without even switching it off. This along with other factors, encouraged competition among network operators and brought down the mobile phone call charges in from the initial {{INR}}32 (US$0.75) in 1996 to {{INR}}0.50 (US$0.005 approx.) in 2011. The rates still differ from one service provider to another and across different tariff schemes provided by the same operator. [[Telecom Regulatory Authority of India]] (TRAI) is the independent [[Competition regulator|regulator]] of the [[telecommunications]] business in [[India]],<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.trai.gov.in/ |title= TRAI website |access-date= 2008-08-19}}</ref> established to check call rates and resolve all communication related issues and holds the upper hand in fixing call rates.

=== Israel ===
According to the Arrangements Law passed on December 29, 2010, [[Israel]]i carriers are banned from locking handsets sold by them, and are obligated to unlock any handset previously sold at no charge.<ref name="Israel-ban">{{cite web|url=http://www.themarker.com/tmc/article.jhtml?ElementId=skira20101207_1202565|title=אושרו עוד שלוש מהפכות צרכניות בתחום הסלולר (hebrew)|work=TheMarker|access-date=7 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101211060705/http://www.themarker.com/tmc/article.jhtml?ElementId=skira20101207_1202565|archive-date=2010-12-11|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Italy ===
[[Italy]] has SIM locking laws requiring that carriers must specify the amount of subsidies, and allow subscribers to obtain unlocking codes after nine months by paying half of the listed subsidies. After 18 months, the SIM lock must be removed.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.telecomsitaly.com/2006/05/consumer-friendlier-sim-lock-mechanism/ |title=Consumer friendlier SIM-lock mechanism |access-date=2016-02-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308073602/http://www.telecomsitaly.com/2006/05/consumer-friendlier-sim-lock-mechanism/ |archive-date=2012-03-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Japan===
Japan's [[Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications]] has legislated that all smartphones and tablets released after May 1, 2015, by [[NTT DoCoMo]], [[au (mobile phone company)|au/Okinawa Cellular]] and [[SoftBank Group|SoftBank Mobile]] (the three major carriers in Japan) must be sold without a SIM lock upon request from customers and without any cost to the customer involved. Before that, from 2011 until 2015, only NTT DoCoMo and au/Okinawa Cellular would remove the SIM lock from phones with a SIM unlock function after the phone is kept or used at least six months after purchase.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.japantoday.com/category/technology/view/mobile-phone-service-operators-lift-sim-locks|title=Mobile phone service operators lift SIM locks|website=japantoday.com|access-date=22 March 2018}}</ref>

===Monaco===
In [[Monaco]], the partially state-owned communications mobile company [[Monaco Telecom]] does not sell SIM-locked phones. As there is no competition, consumers usually buy standard mobile phones that are not locked to any specific carrier.

=== Netherlands ===
[[Netherlands|Dutch]] mobile carriers have an agreement<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ez.nl/dsresource?objectid=143599&type=PDF|title=Dutch Ministry of Economic Affair paper stating OPTA agreement with Dutch mobile carriers|date=14 October 2010|access-date=7 October 2014}}</ref> with the Netherlands' telecom regulator, [[Onafhankelijke Post en Telecommunicatie Autoriteit|OPTA]], to establish a code of conduct<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ez.nl/dsresource?objectid=47201&type=PDF|title=Establishment of Conduct of Conduct|date=14 October 2010|access-date=7 October 2014}}</ref> with respect to SIM locking — specifically, unlocking fees can be charged within the first 12 months and SIM lock cannot last longer than 12 months.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opta.nl/woordenboek_content.asp?ic=s|title=OPTA website on sim-locking|website=opta.nl|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030720020949/http://www.opta.nl/woordenboek_content.asp?ic=s|archive-date=20 July 2003|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In a 2002 letter to the Dutch Secretary of State of Economic Affairs, OPTA stated that the telecom regulator has decided to start working on the formalization of the voluntary code of conduct into legislation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.opta.nl/download/uvt_eu_161202.pdf|title=OPTA letter to EZ|access-date=7 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317152149/http://www.opta.nl/download/uvt%5Feu%5F161202%2Epdf|archive-date=2012-03-17|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, a 2006 report written by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ez.nl/dsresource?objectid=107855&type=PDF|title=EZ 2006 Report|date=14 October 2010|access-date=7 October 2014}}</ref> stated that competition in the Dutch mobile market is sufficient and the formalization of the voluntary code of conduct into legislation is not needed.  Thus there are no SIM locking laws in the Netherlands.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://macwereld.nl/nieuws/2007/09/iphone_unlocken_is_het_legaal_deel_1|title=In the runup of the European launch of the iPhone, a Dutch Macintosh website asked a lawyer to provide a simple summary of the SIM-locking situation in the Netherlands.|website=macwereld.nl|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917143023/http://macwereld.nl/nieuws/2007/09/iphone_unlocken_is_het_legaal_deel_1|archive-date=17 September 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

=== New Zealand ===
Locking was planned in [[New Zealand]] before May 2008<ref name="NZ_Herald_10507579">{{cite news |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10507579 |title=Vodafone's mobile phone lock-down |author=Griffin, Peter |date=May 2, 2008 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=November 11, 2011}}</ref> when [[Vodafone New Zealand]] announced they would begin locking handsets. The company had planned to charge $50 to unlock them, but then relented. It is speculated that the intention to lock was prompted by [[Telecom New Zealand]] building their new mobile network based on [[UMTS]] technology, allowing handsets to change networks for the first time. Until that point in time, Telecom's network (the only other mobile network at that time) was based on CDMA technology, meaning that it was not possible to change networks. [[2degrees]] were also building a mobile network based on UMTS at this time. 
After pressure from the [[Commerce Commission]], Vodafone relented on its locking policy, and will unlock any locked phones for free once they have been owned for nine months. You can pay to have it unlocked prior to this.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vodafone.co.nz/help/mobile-phones/unlock/|title=Unlock your mobile phone|website=www.vodafone.co.nz|access-date=22 March 2018}}</ref><ref name="Stuff.co.nz_462505">{{cite news |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/462505 |title=Vodafone relents on mobile lock |date=May 27, 2008 |work=[[Stuff.co.nz]] |access-date=November 11, 2011}}</ref>

Following speculation of a new lower cost, MNVO of Telecom XT details were leaked regarding the [[Skinny Mobile]] Network, which would SIM lock handsets.

As of 2015, Vodafone, Spark, Skinny, and 2Degrees all charged a $30 unlock fee for phones owned for less than 9 months.
As of 2020, Spark charges a $30 unlock fee for phones owned for less than 9 months, unless the customer is on a Pay Monthly 24 Month Plan.
2Degrees dropped its fees for unlocking phones.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.2degreesmobile.co.nz/help-and-support/mobile/your-phone-or-device/unlock-your-phone/ | title=Unlock your phone| date=7 June 2015}}</ref>

=== Norway ===
Phones sold with a subscription are usually SIM locked to Norwegian carriers. The fee varies depending on how long it has been since you purchased your mobile phone. After 12 months, you can enter the operator lock code yourself without paying for it.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

=== Pakistan ===
Ufone has started SIM Locking with the release of its new smartphone named Smart U5 developed by Emitac Services, UAE. U5 comes SIM locked to Ufone only. No other SIM can be used on the U5.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

=== Peru ===
According to OSIPTEL Peru's telecom regulator, article 23 of the Terms of use, mobile carriers can sell phones locked for a lower price for 12, 18 or 24-month contracts, but also must sell unlocked devices for the full price. The same article dictates the customer can request the unlock code for free after 12 months from the purchase date, no matter if the contract is still in place. The sole exception is if the customer cancels the contract before its end and pays the remaining cost, at which point the customer can request the device be unlocked at any time. OSIPTEL plans to reduce the time customers must wait to remove their SIM locks to 6 months.

=== Portugal ===
A 2006 study sponsored by the [[Portugal]] regulator, [[Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações|ANACOM]], on handset subsidies and SIM locking concluded that there are no special regulatory concerns on offering subsidized SIM-locked equipment in exchange for signing a contract tying a customer to a particular  network.  Network providers are allowed to apply SIM locks as they see fit, and they may voluntarily remove them if they choose to do so.  In the paper, the author stated that the average unlocking fee charged by Portuguese carriers is 90-100 euros.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anacom.pt/streaming/est22112006.pdf?categoryId=218502&contentId=424227&field=ATTACHED_FILE|title=Handset Subsidies – an Empirical Investigation|website=anacom.pt|access-date=22 March 2018}}</ref>
A recently approved law<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?categoryId=337488 |title=ANACOM - Desbloqueamento de telemóveis - novas regras |publisher=Anacom.pt |date=2010-07-13 |access-date=2013-06-21}}</ref> requires network operators to unlock a device free of charge if the respective contract has already expired (But they refuse to do so charging at least 10 euros). It also establishes limits to the fees that operators may charge to unlock a device while it is still under contract.

=== Romania ===
[[Romania]]n telecom regulator ANCOM signed a code of conduct with several Romanian carriers providing that as of September 1, 2009 mobile operators selling handsets locked within their own network have to inform clients whether the handset is locked and provide unlocking upon request. It is "self-regulation" by the carriers to prevent the regulator from actually imposing regulations on them.  If the handset is not purchased together with other electronic communications services, the mobile telephony operator that sells it will bear the unlocking costs and will not bind the terminal unlocking by the purchase of other services or by the payment of other fees.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

If the handset is purchased as part of a promotional package or at a preferential price and the customer requires the unlocking before the expiry of the minimum period provided in the contract for communications services concluded with the operator, the customer will have to pay both the unlocking fee and the penalty for the anticipated unlocking of the handset. The price charged to unlock handsets will not exceed the costs of this operation and operators are obliged to meet unlocking requests within 15 days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ancom.org.ro/_3719 |title=Operatorii de telefonie mobila vor debloca, la cerere, telefoanele codate in reteaua proprie |date=29 September 2009 |publisher=Ancom |language=ro |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105041720/http://www.ancom.org.ro/_3719 |archive-date=2016-01-05 }}</ref>

=== Russia ===
SIM locking is not common in Russia, but they have huge potentials to sell unlocked phones. Most mobile phones sold in Russia doesn't have extensive bundlings, customizations as well as the carrier-specific bloatware. [[Beeline (brand)|Beeline]]-branded phones are always locked to their network operator.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

=== Serbia ===
In telecommunication contracts it is frequent the practice to lock the use of a sim card of one operator with a phone acquired through the same mobile operator. Obstructing the unlocking of the phone may be illegal if the consumer is entitled to it.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

=== Singapore ===
In 1997, [[Singapore]]'s then-telecommunications regulator, Telecommunication Authority of Singapore (now [[Info-communications Media Development Authority|Infocomm Media Authority of Singapore]]) enforced a legislation where telcos ([[Singtel]], [[StarHub]], [[M1 Limited|M1]], [[Circles.Life]], [[MyRepublic]], [[TPG Telecom]] and Zero1) are not allowed to SIM-lock devices, such as phones, tablets and smartwatches that are imported and sold in Singapore.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/switch-mobile-operator-without-changing-sim-cards-imda-wants-10395682|title=Switch mobile operator without changing SIM cards? IMDA wants feedback on eSIM tech|work=Channel NewsAsia|access-date=2018-06-06|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imda.gov.sg/-/media/imda/files/inner/pcdg/consultations/consultation-paper/public-consultation-on-embedded-sim-technology/consultation-document-for-esim.pdf?la=en|title=Consultation Paper for eSIM|date=2018-06-06|website=Infocomm Media Development Authority|format=PDF|access-date=2018-06-06}}</ref> In August 1997, TAS warned at least one operator, [[M1 Limited|M1]], for selling SIM-locked phones.<ref name="Singapore-ban2">{{cite press release|title=TAS Fines M1 For Unauthorised Frequency Transmission And Issues Warning Over Sale Of SIM-Locked Cellular Phones|date=1997-09-08|publisher=Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore|url=https://www.imda.gov.sg/about/newsroom/archived/ida/media-releases/1997/20050721123258}}</ref>

=== Spain ===
In 1998, the then-[[Spain|Spanish]] telecom regulator, ''Tribunal de Defensa de la Competencia'' (now ''[[Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia]]''), saw that Spanish mobile carriers already provided unlocking codes voluntarily for a fee within the first 12 months and for free after 12 months, so it decided not to establish any legal framework in Spain.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.es/es/publicaciones/anexos/Cap-V.pdf|title=Spanish telecom regulator decided not to legislate SIM locking in 1998.|website=cmt.es|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226184955/http://www.cmt.es/es/publicaciones/anexos/Cap-V.pdf|archive-date=26 February 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> CMT has not revisited this decision since then, therefore there are no SIM-locking laws in Spain.

=== Sweden ===
In Sweden, carriers are required to unlock handsets after 12 months since purchase. This applies both to on-contract and pay as you go phones. All carriers will charge a fee of 300 SEK (approximately $45) or 350 SEK (approximately $50), depending on carrier, to unlock the handset. However, as of 2016, most carriers have stopped locking phones altogether.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

=== Switzerland ===
SIM locking may be particularly common in Switzerland. Swisscom began lifting SIM lock since July 2013. Sunrise prepaid mobile phones have a SIM lock for 2 years from purchase.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

=== Thailand ===
{{update|section|date=January 2019}}
[[Thailand]] is also another country that forbids outright SIM locking and as a result, no phones are sold in the market are subsidized by carriers. Up until recently mobile phone manufacturers have their own store fronts and mobile carriers are only the service providers.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

=== Turkey ===
SIM locking is forbidden by the [[Information and Communication Technologies Authority (Turkey)|regulatory authority]] in Turkey since 2013.<ref>{{Cite web | date=2013-06-19 | title=SIM kilit uygulaması kaldırıldı | url=https://www.milliyet.com.tr/gundem/sim-kilit-uygulamasi-kaldirildi-1724874 | access-date=2023-07-13 | website=Milliyet | language=tr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | date=2013-06-19 | title=Bilgi Teknolojileri ve İletişim Kurumu SIM kilit uygulamasını kaldırdı | url=https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/teknoloji/bilgi-teknolojileri-ve-iletisim-kurumu-sim-kilit-uygulamasini-kaldirdi-23535733 | access-date=2023-07-13 | website=www.hurriyet.com.tr | language=tr}}</ref> There are conflicting and varying reports about former practices of SIM locking by operators. A newspaper column from 1997 criticizes [[Vodafone Turkey|Telsim's]] SIM locking policy: "... you cannot quit Telsim until the phone becomes waste, the only way to quit Telsim is buying a new phone."<ref>{{Cite web | date=1997-10-06 | title=Tüketicinin Erkan abisi | url=https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/tuketicinin-erkan-abisi-39267662 | access-date=2023-07-13 | website=www.hurriyet.com.tr | language=tr}}</ref> [[Turkcell|Turkcell's]] SIM locking policy has been subject to a lawsuit in 2001, resulting in Turkcell being fined.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Turkcell’e 7 trilyon lira ceza | url=http://arsiv.ntv.com.tr/news/97253.asp | access-date=2023-07-13 | website=arsiv.ntv.com.tr}}</ref> [[BlackBerry]] phones sold by Turkcell and Vodafone were SIM locked, however, could be unlocked on request without any conditions.<ref>{{Cite web | date=2010-07-13 | title=BLACKBERRY SIM KILIT KODU HAKKINDA HERŞEY | url=https://forum.donanimhaber.com/blackberry-sim-kilit-kodu-hakkinda-hersey--41242686 | access-date=2023-07-13 | website=DonanımHaber Forum | language=tr}}</ref> Yet, the SIM locking practice was only confined to phones sold by operators and it is not clear if operators enforced SIM locking on the phones sold by them tightly or not and if the practice was widespread. Phones sold by other channels were strictly unlocked. Three major mobile network operators, Turkcell, Türk Telekom and Vodafone still offer phones with long term contracts, however these phones are sold unlocked.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

=== United Kingdom ===
In the [[United Kingdom]], mobile phone network providers are not obliged to provide unlocking, even after the end of the contract. [[Ofcom]], UK's telecom regulator, allowed [[Three UK|3]] to sell a mobile phone with the SIM card permanently superglued to the phone.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/News/4162/____________Prepay_users_stuck_with_3.aspx|title=3 UK superglued SIM card into the cell phone|access-date=7 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112011801/http://www.mobiletoday.co.uk/News/4162/____________Prepay_users_stuck_with_3.aspx|archive-date=12 January 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Most operators offer some form of unlocking service, depending on the state of the contract and the model of phone, but usually for a charge.  The full [[Oftel]] 2002 SIM-lock position paper specifies that there is no SIM-locking law in the UK; the regulator wants only "consumer awareness".  The examples within the position paper are just "examples" of current carrier practices for illustration purposes, but do not reflect any official Oftel regulation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/oftel/publications/mobile/2002/sim1102.htm|title=OFCOM Review of SIM-locking policy|publisher=Ofcom |access-date=7 October 2014}}</ref>  The main networks often agree to unlock handsets for a charge, either at the end of a contract or, for prepaid handsets, after several months. Some Blackberry handsets supplied by [[Vodafone]] (e.g., [[BlackBerry Storm|Storm]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=11082&st=20|title=Vodafone UK's position on not offering unlocking codes to Blackberry Storm|publisher=Vodafone|access-date=7 October 2014}}</ref> are examples of a UK carrier not offering unlocking codes. As of April 2011 [[O2 (UK)|O2]] will unlock any of their pay-monthly phones for free, even if they're still in contract, with the exception of handsets made exclusively for them, such as their Palm devices.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.o2.co.uk/help/phones-sims-and-devices/unlocking-an-o2-mobile-to-use-on-a-different-network|title=Unlocking your O2 device for use on a different network|date=February 2015|website=[[O2 (UK)|O2]]|language=en|access-date=2020-02-02}}</ref>
[[Carphone Warehouse]], one of the largest UK phone retailers, offers unlocked phones with most PAYG deals.{{citation needed|date=February 2015}}
As of January 1, 2014, all phones sold by 3 UK are unlocked. Phones bought before this date will be unlocked for free.<ref>{{cite web|title=Unlocking a 3 device for use on another network|url=http://support.three.co.uk/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBISAPI.DLL?Command=New,Kb=Mobile,Ts=Mobile,T=Article,varset_cat=billing,varset_subcat=3772,Case=obj(4363)|access-date=15 April 2017}}</ref>

On 17 December 2019, Ofcom announced that it would explore a mandate banning SIM locking.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-50823052|title=Ofcom proposes locked-handset ban|date=2019-12-17|access-date=2019-12-17|language=en-GB}}</ref> On 27 October 2020, The UK's mobile networks are to be forbidden from selling phones locked to their services from December 2021.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-54692179|title=Mobile networks banned from selling locked phones|date=2020-10-27|access-date=2020-10-27|language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== United States ===
One of the two [[United States|American]] GSM carriers, [[T-Mobile US|T-Mobile]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://support.t-mobile.com/doc/tm51885.xml | title=SIM Unlock your phone &#124; Support | publisher=Support.t-mobile.com | access-date=2013-06-21}}</ref> will unlock handsets for those with active account in good standing for at least 40 days and no unlock code request in the last 90 days. The other, [[AT&T Mobility]], is required to do so upon request (with some exceptions and requirements) after ninety days of active service under the terms of a [[class action]] settlement.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20100601215556/http://www.attlockinglawsuits.com/pdf/meolinot.pdf Article title]}} (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/67XpFxapm)</ref> Prior to the settlement, AT&T would<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/28/AR2008052803089.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | title=It's Not The Money, Can You Hear Me? | first=Rob | last=Pegoraro | date=2008-05-29 | access-date=2010-05-23}}</ref> usually do so once one has concluded their contract, and in some other situations. <!--<s>Neither carrier is compelled to unlock phones by any law or regulation</s>, and they may choose not to unlock certain phones.{{Citation needed|date=May 2012}}--> AT&T had in the past stated that it would not unlock iPhones under any circumstances, regardless of the legality of doing so, even after customers are out of contract. However, AT&T has since announced that starting April 8, 2012, it will begin unlocking off-contract iPhones, provided that the customer's account is in good standing.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.macrumors.com/2012/04/06/att-will-unlock-off-contract-iphones-starting-sunday-april-8/ | title=AT&T Will Unlock Off-Contract iPhones Starting Sunday, April 8 | first=Jordan | last=Golson | publisher=MacRumors.com | date=April 6, 2012 | access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref> AT&T also has an unannounced policy of unlocking iPhones for [[United States Armed Forces|United States service members]] who are deployed overseas—even if they are still under contract.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.macrumors.com/2012/04/09/att-unlocking-in-contract-iphones-for-deployed-service-members/ | title=AT&T Unlocking In-Contract iPhones for Deployed Service Members | first=Jordan | last=Golson | publisher=MacRumors.com | date=April 9, 2012 | access-date=April 11, 2012}}</ref>

Before carriers began voluntarily providing unlock codes for all phone models, in 2010 the [[Electronic Frontier Foundation]] (EFF) successfully convinced the [[United States Copyright Office]] to allow an exemption to the general prohibition on circumvention of copyright protection systems under the [[DMCA|Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998]] for unlocking of phones through user self-help (sometimes referred to as "hacking").<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.copyright.gov/fedreg/2010/75fr43825.pdf|title= Federal  Register / Vol.  75,  No.  143 / Tuesday,  July  27,  2010 / Rules  and  Regulations" <!--can't confirm older title, move it in main text(?): US Copyright Office Final 2010 Anti-Circumvention Rulemaking -->|author=[[United States Copyright Office]] |work=[[Federal Register]] |date= July 27, 2010 |access-date=August 21, 2012}}</ref>  This exemption has become less important now that most carriers are voluntarily providing unlock codes.

According to a ruling effective October 28, 2012, it will be illegal to unlock phones purchased 90 days after this date or later without the carrier's permission.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2012-26308.pdf|title= Exemption to Prohibition on Circumvention of Copyright Protection Systems for Access Control Technologies|author=[[United States Copyright Office]] |work=[[Federal Register]] |date= October 22, 2012}}</ref> In other words, users can already unlock phones they already own, and phones purchased before January 29, 2013, but phones purchased after this point can only be unlocked with the carrier's permission.

In March 2013, the [[Obama administration]] and the [[Federal Communications Commission]] said consumers should also be able to switch carriers and keep their actual phones.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/05/technology/fcc-urges-a-right-to-unlock-cellphones.html|title=F.C.C. Urges a Right to Unlock Cellphones|first=Edward|last=Wyatt|newspaper=The New York Times |date=4 March 2013|access-date=22 March 2018}}</ref>

On August 1, 2014, President Obama signed into law the [[Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act (S. 517; 113th Congress)]], a bill legalizing unlocking cellphones in the US.<ref name=HattemHill>{{cite news|last1=Hattem|first1=Julian|title=House votes to allow cellphone 'unlocking'|url=https://thehill.com/policy/technology/213361-house-votes-to-allow-cellphone-unlocking/|access-date=25 July 2014|newspaper=The Hill|date=25 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/president-signs-cell-phone-unlocking-bill-into-law/|title=President signs cell phone unlocking bill into law|publisher=cnet|date=August 2, 2014}}</ref> The bill passed in the [[United States Senate]] on July 15, 2014, and in the [[United States House of Representatives]] on July 25, 2014.

[[Sprint Corporation|Sprint]] agreed to allow domestic unlocking on all mobile devices launched after February 15, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sprint.com/legal/unlocking_policy.html|title=Legal / Regulatory & Consumer Resources}}</ref>

It is possible to buy unlocked phones in the U.S. Some online retailers sell phones that come unlocked from the manufacturer, that is, they were never locked in the first place.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}