The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering a rule requiring phone carriers to unlock devices after a certain period. T-Mobile and AT&T oppose the rule, arguing it will limit consumer freedom and competition by creating an artificial barrier to switching providers. They suggest Verizon's rules as a model, which require automatic unlocking after the initial period without any additional actions from consumers. The FCC is also considering whether the rule should apply when a carrier has provided a discounted phone.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/10/t-mobile-att-oppose-unlocking-rule-claim-locked-phones-are-good-for-users/