Senator Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, together with Senators John Kennedy of Louisiana and Eric Schmitt of Missouri, has urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to finalize a rule that would require mobile carriers to automatically unlock phones after 180 days. In a letter addressed to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, the senators argued that unlocking devices would promote competition and benefit consumers.
The letter described device unlocking as “a pro-consumer, pro-competition issue” and stated that phone locking is “an artificial barrier to switching, innovation, and a fully competitive marketplace.” The senators cited data indicating that American families spend more than $2,000 annually on mobile service due in part to carrier lock-in. They encouraged the FCC to move forward with its rulemaking process and set a standard for automatic unlocking.
“We urge the Commission to seize this opportunity to deliver meaningful relief to American families by enacting a uniform unlocking rule, establishing long-sought regulatory certainty, and upholding the principle that competition best serves consumers. Therefore, the Commission should take swift action to bring its pending rulemaking to a conclusion and exercise its authority to establish consistent rules to require automatic unlocking of mobile phone service after 180 days across all mobile providers to allow real competition to benefit all consumers and American families,” the senators wrote.
In their communication with Chairman Carr, they expressed support for the FCC’s efforts “to ensure that consumers have the freedom to select mobile phone service that truly meets their needs and serves their pocketbooks.” They also recognized concerns about fraud but suggested that a 180-day waiting period would balance those risks while expanding consumer choice.
Senator Lummis has a history of legislative work supporting community service and family ranching traditions in Wyoming. She is notable for being the first woman to represent Wyoming in the U.S. Senate and has previously served in several state government roles including state treasurer and as a member of both chambers of the Wyoming Legislature. More information about her background can be found on her official website.
The letter concluded with an invitation for further discussion on these priorities with Chairman Carr.
