Cellphones will now be more “portable” than ever

On Friday, The U.S. House of Representatives joined the Senate in passage of the “Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act”, a lengthy moniker that translates into a law that enables cellphone owners to buy cellular phone service without having to buy the cellphone itself from the cellular phone service provider.

President Obama is expected to sign the bill, and if he does, this will be a good thing for consumers.  When it becomes effective, cellphone service providers will be required to unlock your cellphone upon request, thereby allowing you to shop for cellphone services using an existing phone.  This will increase competition between service providers, and should lower rates over the long term.

The announcement, from Senator Patrick Leahy’s office, is HERE.