Consumer groups seek unlocked phone condition as part of T-Mobile/Mint deal

Consumer advocates want the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to impose a phone unlocking condition on T-Mobile’s proposed acquisition of Mint Mobile, the operator made famous by part owner Ryan Reynolds. T-Mobile struck an agreement in 2023 with Ka’ena Corporation to acquire Mint Mobile and its affiliate brands, Ultra Mobile and Plum, for up to $1.35 billion. The acquisition remains pending. Four consumer groups—Consumer Reports, Public Knowledge, the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, and the Open Technology Institute at New America—suggest an unlocking condition could be modeled after a commitment that was tied to Verizon’s 2021 acquisition of TracFone. The consumer advocates say the FCC should require T-Mobile to commit to a shorter unlocking period for all devices activated on its network.