Ban on mobile companies selling ‘locked’ phones planned by watchdog

'By freeing mobile users from locked handsets, our plans would save people time, effort and money,' says Ofcom representative

Related video: Finland’s new prime minister backs four-day working week (iStock)

Ofcom says it plans to introduce a ban on mobile companies selling phones that are “locked” in order to help consumers switch network providers with more ease.

The watchdog explained that when firms including Tesco Mobile, Vodafone and BT/EE sell mobile phones, the devices cannot be used on other mobile networks unless they have been unlocked.

However, unlocking these phones can incur a charge of around £10, which can be off-putting for customers.

“Ofcom research has found that more than a third of people who decided against switching said this put them off,” Ofcom stated.

The regulator outlined that approximately half of consumers who attempt to unlock purchased mobile phones find it difficult for a variety of reasons, including not being sent the code they need to unlock their device for a long period of time.

“So we are proposing to ban mobile companies from selling locked phones, allowing people to move to a different network with their existing handset, hassle-free,” Ofcom said.

The proposed regulation change follows a reform introduced by Ofcom in July, which outlined that mobile phone users can switch networks by sending a free text message.

“Switching mobile provider can be really frustrating,” said Lindsey Fussell, consumer group director at Ofcom.

“By freeing mobile users from locked handsets, our plans would save people time, effort and money – and help them unlock a better deal.”

The suggested ban on selling locked mobile phones is part of Ofcom’s work to implement the new European Electronic Communications Code (EECC).

The EECC came into force on 20 December 2018, although European Union member states have until 21 December 2020 to bring the changes into national law.

“Other elements of the code that we are proposing to implement include changes to the information customers receive before they agree a contract, and their right to exit a contract before its end date,” Ofcom stated.