Subsidy Password
Encyclopedia
The term Subsidy Password is used by Motorola
and other handset manufacturers to refer to the 8-digit (or 16-digit code for newer phones such as the Motorola K1) unlock code
necessary to remove the operator lock (also known as subsidy lock) from cell phones. This code is randomly assigned to individual cell phones by the OEM
on request of the mobile service operator and prevents the use of a particular phone on a cellular network other than that to which the phone was originally sold.
CDMA cellular providers that use subsidy locks on their handsets:
Ntelos,
Cricket,
Sprint,
Quest,
US Cellular,
SureWest,
Telus &
Bell Mobility (Not a complete list)
GSM: (SIM LOCK)
T-Mobile
Cingular
AT&T
Rogers
Alltel or Verizon Wireless do not use any type of subsidy locks on their CDMA phones.
Default Code:000000 or 123456 or 654321
Prepaid cellphones from Alltel & Verizon Wireless come locked from the store, but Verizon Wireless prepaid cellphones can be unlocked with a call to Verizon.
brings the legality of such applications under question in the United States, recent legal cases such as Lexmark Int'l v. Static Control Components
have confirmed that the use of software to reprogram such phones is not illegal. This is particularly true since unlocking applications increase compatibility with alternative networks, promote positive competition and allow customers greater freedom to use the phones that they own. In 2010, the Librarian of Congress exempted unlocking phones from the DMCA.http://www.copyright.gov/1201/
Motorola
Motorola, Inc. was an American multinational telecommunications company based in Schaumburg, Illinois, which was eventually divided into two independent public companies, Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions on January 4, 2011, after losing $4.3 billion from 2007 to 2009...
and other handset manufacturers to refer to the 8-digit (or 16-digit code for newer phones such as the Motorola K1) unlock code
SIM lock
A SIM lock, simlock, network lock or subsidy lock is a capability built into GSM phones by mobile phone manufacturers. Network providers use this capability to restrict the use of these phones to specific countries and network providers...
necessary to remove the operator lock (also known as subsidy lock) from cell phones. This code is randomly assigned to individual cell phones by the OEM
OEM
OEM means the original manufacturer of a component for a product, which may be resold by another company.OEM may also refer to:-Computing:* OEM font, or OEM-US, the original character set of the IBM PC, circa 1981...
on request of the mobile service operator and prevents the use of a particular phone on a cellular network other than that to which the phone was originally sold.
Justification for use of Subsidy Password
The term "subsidy" refers to the subsidization of cell phones sold to customers that purchase mobile phones as part of a contract with the mobile service operator. Many network operators provide these subsidies as an incentive for users to sign extended contracts, and use the subsidy lock as a means of protecting their investment. The installation of such locks means that users often are forced to purchase a different phone if they decide to switch their network (of advantage to both the OEM manufacturer and cellular service provider).CDMA cellular providers that use subsidy locks on their handsets:
Ntelos,
Cricket,
Sprint,
Quest,
US Cellular,
SureWest,
Telus &
Bell Mobility (Not a complete list)
GSM: (SIM LOCK)
T-Mobile
Cingular
AT&T
Rogers
Alltel or Verizon Wireless do not use any type of subsidy locks on their CDMA phones.
Default Code:000000 or 123456 or 654321
Prepaid cellphones from Alltel & Verizon Wireless come locked from the store, but Verizon Wireless prepaid cellphones can be unlocked with a call to Verizon.
Unlocking services and software
As a result of the lack of open access to the Subsidy Password database, a number of online services have grown around providing alternative unlocking software. The methods used to unlock cell phones varies although most involve reading the code from the phone and resetting it.United States
Network carriers some times unlock their customer's phones. While one could consider that the Digital Millennium Copyright ActDigital Millennium Copyright Act
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act is a United States copyright law that implements two 1996 treaties of the World Intellectual Property Organization . It criminalizes production and dissemination of technology, devices, or services intended to circumvent measures that control access to...
brings the legality of such applications under question in the United States, recent legal cases such as Lexmark Int'l v. Static Control Components
Lexmark Int'l v. Static Control Components
Lexmark International, Inc. v. Static Control Components, Inc., 387 F.3d 522 , was an American legal case involving the computer printer company Lexmark, which had designed an authentication system using a microcontroller so that only authorized toner cartridges could be used...
have confirmed that the use of software to reprogram such phones is not illegal. This is particularly true since unlocking applications increase compatibility with alternative networks, promote positive competition and allow customers greater freedom to use the phones that they own. In 2010, the Librarian of Congress exempted unlocking phones from the DMCA.http://www.copyright.gov/1201/
See also
- Digital Millennium Copyright Act#Anti-circumvention exemptions
- Mobile phoneMobile phoneA mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
- SIM lockSIM lockA SIM lock, simlock, network lock or subsidy lock is a capability built into GSM phones by mobile phone manufacturers. Network providers use this capability to restrict the use of these phones to specific countries and network providers...