Japan's MIC ponders unlocked SIMs

A senior minister of Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) caused an uproar last week, when he said that the ministry supported the unlocking of SIM cards. Unlocking SIM cards would enable a mobile user to take their existing SIM with them to a new service provider. Currently, SIMs are locked to a particular handset and service provider. This practice enables Japan's mobile providers -- NTT DoCoMo, KDDI and Softbank Mobile -- to sell handsets at a discount. Handset losses are recouped through monthly fees and other service charges.