Ofcom set to ban mobiles locked to a single network

MOBILE phones “locked” to a single provider are to be banned under plans being considered by Ofcom.

The communications watchdog is calling for “fair treatment and easier switching” for mobile customers who buy phones that cannot be used on other networks.

Currently, BT, EE, Vodafone and Tesco Mobile sell locked phones.

Consumers usually have to pay around £10 to unlock their phones for use with other networks, according to Ofcom. More than a third of people who decide against switching are put off by the hassle and fees required to unlock their phones. Long delays are often involved in receiving an unlock code, and sometimes codes are given that don’t work, preventing consumers from opting for the deals they prefer or even suffering a loss of service.

Kantar, the consumer data firm, found smartphone users across Europe hold on to their phones longer than ever before, with British users keeping them more than 27 months on average.

Currently, 02, Sky, Three and Virgin offer unlocked phones, but Ofcom is pushing to stamp out the sales of all locked phones. Three and 02 backed the move, with Three calling on Ofcom to speed up the process. A Three spokesman said there was no reason to give rivals a 12-month implementation period and said Ofcom should bring the timetable forward to begin in 2020.

It comes after the regulator made a move in July to simplify the process for customers looking to leave their mobile networks, creating rules that allow users to send a free text to their providers and opt out while keeping their current number. Ofcom will consult on the proposals until March.