Most of us don’t worry about switching carriers—or what happens when we can’t. But Verizon’s recent pitch to the FCC could change that.
The wireless giant wants to delay the rule that forces it to unlock phones after 60 days. And some critics say it’s more than just about switching carriers—it’s about keeping you off T‑Mobile’s new satellite texting feature.
According to PhoneArena, Verizon is pushing back against the FCC's rule that requires phone unlocking after 60 days. Here’s why it matters for everyday users: if your phone stays locked to Verizon longer, you might not be able to add an eSIM—and without that, you can’t use T‑Mobile’s Starlink-based texting service on your Verizon phone.
Right now, T‑Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon customers can join a beta for satellite texting via SpaceX’s Starlink network. But you need an eSIM alongside your regular SIM. And if Verizon refuses to unlock your phone, you’re out of luck. One Verizon customer wrote to the FCC saying that extended locks would “prevent them from accessing Satellite networks like SpaceX’s Starlink on T‑Mobile”.
Verizon argues that longer locks help prevent fraud (like stolen phones being trafficked overseas) and protect their margins on discounts and subsidies. They point out that they’ve agreed to the 60-day rule in the past, going back to spectrum deals in 2008 and the Tracfone purchase, but now want relief.
But how many people use satellite texting? T‑Mobile reports about 1.8 million users in beta, including “tens of thousands” of Verizon and AT&T customers. T‑Mobile officially launches the free texting feature July 23, with expanded data options coming in October (though some cost will kick in afterward).
Fans of Starlink texting say it’s not just a neat-to-have: it can be a life-saver in places without cell service, and a handy backup even in urban areas. Critics of Verizon’s idea say that keeping people locked out does the opposite—restricts consumer choice and limits access to new, potentially critical services.
In a nutshell, the debate is about balancing fraud protection and profits on one side, and customer freedom and safety on the other. The FCC will have to decide whether keeping the 60-day rule is worth it; or if consumers should be free to add that satellite backup as soon as possible.
Which side do you think they’ll favor?
Source: PhoneArena
