Cell Phone Freedom Act: a small step or a giant leap in Canadian policy making?
by Jan André Blackburn-Cabrera
International Journal of Liability and Scientific Enquiry (IJLSE), Vol. 5, No. 1, 2012

Abstract: The SIM lock is a popular practice of mobile phone manufacturers; they lock a SIM card to restrict the use of phones to specific providers. A code (PUK) can provide the consumer with wireless freedom. In Canada, it is not illegal for a consumer to unlock the SIM card on a cell phone. Yet, not a single carrier unlocks phones; locking the phone to a carrier is also not illegal. Canada is the most expensive place in the world to have a cell phone plan, Canadians use their cell phones more than consumers in most other countries, and Canadian wireless telecom companies have the highest profit margins in the developed world. This paper will analyse Canadian policy making in the telecommunications sector and argue poor market regulation. It will also analyse the failing efforts from the Canadian Government to adequately regulate competition by allowing practices like SIM locks, which restrict consumer choice.

Online publication date: Thu, 31-Jul-2014

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Liability and Scientific Enquiry (IJLSE):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com