Thanks to FCC?

Duncan Davidson, after researching the aforelinked news that the Verizon iPhone 5 ships with an unlocked GSM SIM tray, concludes it was mandated by the FCC:

Thank you FCC, or whatever Federal group it was that put this into the regulations. I have to say that I’m sorta shocked that this little bit of consumer protection snuck in to the US Code like this. And really quite pleased. After all, there’s really no need for carriers to lock down SIM slots when they’ve already got you on the hook for a contract.

So, is this the reason Verizon is shipping the iPhone 5 unlocked? It seems that way, but Verizon might just be being nice on this one. Somehow, I doubt it.

★ Monday, 24 September 2012