Mobile carriers argue that locking devices helps them lower costs. Consumer protection groups see it a little differently.

The FCC wants all phones to be unlocked after 60 days. Two major mobile carriers do not, but Verizon isn't one of them. Here are their arguments.

The initial announcement was made on June 27, but the FCC officially proposed the rule change less than a month later on July 18. When a rule is officially proposed, typically, the FCC allows for comments and responses from the public.

T-Mobile and AT&T this week responded to the FCC’s proposed rule requiring providers unlock phones within 60 days of activation—even if they’re under contract and not paid off yet. In their responses,

T-Mobile and AT&T say US regulators should drop a plan to require unlocking of phones within 60 days of activation, claiming that locking phones to a carrier's network makes it possible to provide cheaper handsets to consumers.

Gee, I sure love paying for a phone that can’t be moved from my draconian cell phone network,” said no one ever. But that appears to be the sentiment echoed by American networks AT&T and T-Mobile in response to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).