Chile Bans SIM Locking of Mobile Phones

The Chilean telecoms regulator, Subtel, has passed a regulation requiring mobile networks to unlock mobile phones at no charge to the customer. The regulation also required networks to stop SIM-locking handsets in future. Department of Telecommunications Minister, Pedro Pablo Errázuriz said that this is to be the "year of number portability" in the country and the new policy would bring in lower prices and more freedom for consumers.