Verizon will lock iPhones to its network to deter thieves

Verizon is curious on locking iPhone and other smartphones it sells starting from this spring to reduce theft and fraud.

Verizon is the only major carrier that doesn’t lock its iPhones and other smartphones that it sells, according to CNET, that will be changing soon. Verizon shared today that it will lock phones that it sells to its consumers starting Monday. The carrier says this move is an attempt to reduce theft and fraud. “We’re taking steps to combat this theft and reduce fraud,” Tami Erwin, executive vice president of wireless operations for Verizon, said in a statement. “These steps will make our phones exponentially less desirable to criminals.”

While the phones will immediately be unlocked as soon as the customer activates service, Verizon hasn’t mentioned how long it will be locking devices after purchase. This is actually the standard practice among US wireless carriers. AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile all lock smartphones for a period of 40-60 days after purchase. It is required to be paid off before they can be unlocked; there’s also an unlocking waiting period, ranging from 14 to 50 days after a customer makes a request. But Verizon customers will not require to pay off their phones to unlock them.

While this may help Verizon prevent their customers from theft and fraud, it will likely create new frustration for customers who are interested in traveling abroad (Using an unlocked phone overseas is a standard practice for frequent travelers) or needing to switch carriers within the locked period.

As of now, the carrier hasn’t shared any further details about this except that it will unlock devices. It is also not clear whether Verizon will unlock the phone early at a purchaser’s request once the policy is in place.