@WhatsApp Testing Free Voice Calling - Why Free Local, International Calling over 4G LTE may soon be Possible

“We are rolling out a voice calling beta test to a small number of people, but we don't have anything more to share right now”

WhatsApp spokesperson commenting on reports of Persons being able to make WhatsApp Calls

WhatsApp, which Facebook purchased back in February 2014 for some US$19 billion as note in my blog article entitled “Facebook acquires WhatsApp for US$19 Billion - CEO Jan Koum Revelry will fade once faced with BBM and Google+, Guardians of the Galaxy of Mobile Social Networks”  is gearing up to make either Easter or the Summer of 2015 the Year of Free VoIP Calling went mainstream over 3G and 4G LTE Networks.

This as they’ve begun rolling out WhatsApp Voice Calling on Monday February 23^rd 2015 in an apparent invitation based test as reported in the article “WhatsApp voice calling feature appears on Android handsets for few hours”, published February 23, 2015 by Nicole Fernandes , Deccan Chronicle.

WhatsApp hasn't officially mentioned this feature on their WhatsApp blog as they'd done the recent rollout of WhatsApp for Desktop called WhatsApp Web computers as noted in my blog article entitled “WhatsApp comes to the Desktop via the Browser - Why Desktop on Laptop and PC is Mobile Social Network's Last Frontier”.

WhatsApp Calling for Free – Selected Beta Testers calling a small invite-only list for Free

Apparently activated since Friday February 20^th 2015 as reported in the article “WhatsApp starts rolling out voice calling feature to Android users”, published Feb 20, 2015, 11.54PM IST by Anupam Saxena, Times of India, it seems to work on the basis of seeding a select few users with the ability to make Voice Calls to a small number of other people.

On receiving the feature, these selected persons, basically beta testers, can call a select number of friends within WhatsApp for free. If you receive a call from someone who has WhatsApp Calling feature activated, you're prompted to update your WhatsApp to the latest version, which happens to be WhatsApp build (2.11.508).

You can only call other WhatsApp users and not Local or International Landline or Mobile numbers, even for a price or even free, in a manner similar to MagicApp and Call+ as reported in my MICO Wars Blog article entitled “How to make Free International Calls to Landlines and Mobiles Anywhere in the World”, as that' not being offered.

Interestingly, though, those WhatsApp-only call to other users via 3G or 4G are free and even then, only a limited number of WhatsApp users that have updated the latest version of WhatsApp.

For the rest of us unlucky souls, WhatsApp Calling is a feature inside of the latest build of WhatsApp. It's just disabled as WhatsApp hasn't announced widespread availability of this feature as yet on their WhatsApp blog

WhatsApp Voice Call Testing – Reddit user enables it by accident on Google Android Lollipop

Their much promised Voice Calling capability is currently being tested based on a report send by Reddit user Pradnesh Patil aka pradnesh07, apparently based in India, as reported in the article WhatsApp starts rolling out calling feature, published January 31st, 2015, 17:08 by Prasad, GSM Arena and “WhatsApp begins rollout of voice call functionality”, published February 2, 2015 4:45 PM PST by Nic Healey, CNET News.

Using a sideloaded version of WhatsApp build (2.11.508) on a Nexus 5 running Google Android 5.0 Lollipop, he was able to accidentally evoke the Voice Calling Functionality, even taking a few screenshots.

He also posted a video as proof that he’d encountered WhatsApp Calling in the Wild!

Other Reddit users, also based in India, have duplicated his efforts and have stumbled across Screens that show a new tab for Calls next to the tabs for Chats and Contacts as shown in the picture below.

WhatsApp Testing Voice Calling – Basic Features that need tweaking

This appeared to be an initial test by WhatsApp that's evoked by sideloading the latest build of WhatsApp onto a smartphone running Google Android 5.0 Lollipop. Possibly the functionality is already built into the latest update of WhatsApp, but only activated if you have a Google Android 5.0 Lollipop smartphone?

Google Android 5.0 Lollipop, the latest version of Google Android coming to a Samsung, LG, Sony, OnePlus, Asus, Nvidia, Android One, Motorola, Google Nexus and Google Play Editions smartphones near you as reported in the article “ANDROID 5.0 LOLLIPOP UPDATE ARRIVES ON THE T-MOBILE SAMSUNG GALAXY S5”, published February 18, 2015 By Andy Boxall, Digitaltrends.

So far the sporadic reports suggest that WhatsApp Voice Calling offers several Standard Call handling features:

1.         Speakerphone setting

2.         Mute button

3.         Texting while on a Call (Not sure how that's possible)

WhatsApp hasn’t sorted out all the kinks as yet. But they’re close.

WhatsApp has now begun Testing Voice Calling – 3G and 4G LTE Voice Calling is possible

Pradnesh Patil claims the feature gets switched on when a user that has it tries to call another user.

However, the WhatsApp calling feature is apparently being rolled on a Test Basis, with a select few possibly receiving invitations to become Beta-testers for WhatsApp since.

So far, individuals have reported trying to use WhatsApp Calling only for calls to go unanswered as it may not be enable for everyone, even if they have the latest version of WhatsApp. It also appears that you can only call other WhatsApp  users and not Local or International Landlines or Mobile numbers.

If WhatsApp is eventually allowed to make calls to landlines and Mobile Numbers, they'd have to compete against such established juggernauts like Google Voice or Google Hangouts that allow users to make International calls for mere pennies as noted in my blog article entitled “Google merges Google Voice into Google+ Hangouts - How to make Free US and Canada Calls with Google Voice in Hangouts App”.

WhatsApp Calling unlikely over 4G LTE – Digicel and LIME now have the right to block unregistered VoIP

That would be interesting, as it’s unlikely that Telecom Provider in the US of A and anywhere in the world would allow WhatsApp to do that for Free.

Most likely, American Telecom Providers and the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) would have to force WhatsApp and all other VoIP IM (Instant Messaging) apps with VoIP capability to register as Telecom Providers.

This is once they reach a certain critical mass and account for a significant amount of traffic on their 4G LTE Network as was the case in Jamaica recently with Digicel and LIME.

Both Telecom Provider used this argument along with the fact that VoIP Apps Viber and Nimbuzz were terminating Voice Calls without paying Interconnection Toll charges and thus promptly blocked them in July 2014 as reported in my blog article entitled “LIME and Digicel blocking all VoIP Services - How Telecom Providers can make money from Regularizing Paid VoIP Services”

This as WhatsApp would be basically functioning like a MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator).

WhatsApp Calling to Local or International Landlines or Mobile numbers – VoLTE competitor needed

In doing so, they’d be following on the lead of Telecom Provider Digicel and Telecom Provider LIME who’d recently won the right in December 2014 to block VoIP Calling on their Network as reported in my blog article entitled “Minister Paulwell says VoIP Providers must Register to Terminate - Why WhatsApp may no longer be Free as IXP by January 2015, MNP by May 2015”.

And as my article suggests, this would mean that any such WhatsApp Calling Feature, be it from WhatsApp to WhatsApp or WhatsApp to Local or International Landlines or Mobile numbers, would only be possible if WhatsApp is a registered Telecom Provider in Jamaica!

Our American counterparts would most likely follow suit, as potentially, such a large VoIP Network with almost 700 million Actively Monthly users as reported in my blog article entitled “WhatsApp reaches 700 million Active Monthly Users - Double Blue Checkmarks from China, Japan and South Korea and Russia with Love” would result in them losing significant revenue!

Facing such resistance, WhatsApp may be initially told that they can only make VoIP Calls over Wi-Fi and not 3G and 4G Networks!

But as VoLTE (Voice Over LTE) is now active on Telecom Networks such as Verizon and AT&T as noted in my blog article entitled “Digicel and LIME going VoLTE - Why GSM extinct and Spectrum reused for M2M Services in HD Audio and Video Caribbean VoLTE-Age” many Americans may soon be clamoring for HD Voice and Video Calling alternatives to those offered by the Telecom Provider.

Especially now that they have the choice to unlock their smartphones and move to whichever of the five (5) Carriers and the myriad of other registered MVNO’s that operate in the US of A as noted in my blog article entitled “US Carriers must Carrier Unlock smartphones as of Wednesday February 11th 2015 – How Americans can get their smartphones Carrier unlocked”.

WhatsApp Voice Calling with Video Calling capability over 3G and 4G LTE Networks with the capability to call Local or International Landlines or Mobile numbers, albeit facing initial resistance, will eventually be accepted. This as the FCC will not stand-by and watch Telecom Provider create another monopoly, this time based on 4G LTE Networks!

For now, WhatsApp will continue testing WhatsApp Calling…….as Everything is Possible.

How to make free International Calls with Google Hangouts on Laptops, Google Android and iOS

If you read my article on Google Voice Calling back in August 2014 as per my blog article entitled “Google merges Google Voice into Google+ Hangouts - How to make Free US and Canada Calls with Google Voice in Hangouts App”, then you probably know that Google Voice is mainly for Americans.

What you may now know is that as a Jamaican, if you have a Tablet or a smartphone, you can make free International Calls via Google Hangouts App on BOTH Google Android and Apple iOS smartphones and Tablets.

So I'll explain to you how to do it.

But first, grab a bag of National Bakery Cream Crackers and some Eve Guava Jam, plaster a couple biscuits and set yourself a tall glass of Caribbean Dreams Chocolate Tea, as this is going to be the best Sunday you'll even have making free International Calls from your Google Android or Apple iOS Tablet or a smartphone.

Hot to make free International Calls using Google Hangouts Dialer app

This is all possible thanks to Google Hangouts, which works comfortably on Desktop and Laptop computers running Windows as well as per the instructions for users of Google Hangouts on a Desktop computer.

If you have Gmail and you are on your Laptop or Desktop Computer right now, you can also make International Calls using Google Hangouts just to try it out. Good to note here its best that you have the Google Chrome Browser installed on your computer, so before you start, just install the Google Chrome Browser first, as the Google Hangouts Plugin works best with that browser.

Once Google Chrome Browser, then go ahead and click http://www.google.com/intl/en/hangouts/ hyperlink to start downloading the Google Hangouts Plugin as per the instruction on Google's Hangouts Support Page.

Then just click on the downloaded Google Hangouts installed to install and you’ll get the following pop-up tab instructing you to download and install Google Hangouts.

Once it downloads, click on the download and install the Google Hangouts Plug-in. The Google Hangouts Plug-in will connect to Google's servers and begin installing itself on your computer.

Once downloaded, Google Hangouts can be accessed via your Gmail Account by clicking on the Camera icon on your left.

You'll then notice that a notification appears at the top saying that Plug-ins are blocked for this page. Select “Always allow plus.google.com access your camera and microphone” and “Always allow plug-ins on plus.google.com” to enable Google Hangouts Plugin and have access to your camera and microphone.

Once enabled, you can then click on the dial pad icon at the top of the page to make Calls. These instructions also works for users of Google Hangouts on Google Android smartphones and Tablets as well as users of Google Hangouts on Apple iOS devices such as the Apple iPhone or Apple iPad Mini.  

Google Hangouts and International Calling – Free 1 Minute Calls and US$0.01 to Call anywhere in the World

Google Hangouts works best in Gmail and Google+, with a Google Hangouts App for Google Android smartphones and a Google Hangouts App for Apple iPhones that allows you to take Google Hangouts wherever your smartphone can travel with you.

There is even a Google Chrome Hangouts extension that works for Americans who have a Google Voice Account or you have a VPN (Virtual Private Network) or Proxy as described in my blog article entitled “Surfing the Internet Anonymously using VPN - How to use Streaming Set Top Boxes over VPN”.

U.S. and Canada Calls are free from Jamaica, with a few destinations possibly charging you US$0.01 (JA$1.15) per minute depending on the specific phone number as per the Calling Credit page for your Google Account. You can also call countries aside from the USA and Canada for rates as per the Google Hangouts International Rates Page.

Americans get the added perks of one 1 minute Calling per day to twenty five (25) destinations around the world as of October 2014 as stated in the article “Google Hangouts Offers Free One-Minute International Calls”, published 10/31/2014 by Amit Chowdhry, Forbes.

What’s the catch? They get this perk once they’ve added Calling credit to their Google Account.

Aside from that, the cost of Calling International destinations outside of the U.S. and Canada varies with rates as high as US$0.28 (JA$32.24) per minute to as low as US$0.02 (JA$2.30) per minute and is comparable to using an International Calling plans as described in my Geezam blog article entitled “How to set up an International Calling Plan for Digicel or LIME Prepaid and Postpaid”.

Receiving Calls, text messages, and voicemails, however, is another matter entirely. Again, this applies if you're desktop bound and you have a VPN or Proxy or you're an American with a Google Voice Account on your smartphone. Note to that you cannot place or receive emergency service Calls in Google Hangouts, so don't use it to Call the fireman if your house is burning down.

If you want to make free International Calls anywhere in the World, then check my MICO Wars blog article entitled “How to make Free International Calls to Landlines and Mobiles Anywhere in the World”.

Folks, finish your bag of National Bakery Cream Crackers and some Eve Guava Jam, plaster a couple biscuits and set yourself a tall glass of Caribbean Dreams Chocolate Tea and start Calling your relatives and friends abroad today!

Here’s the link:

Google Hangouts

Google Chrome Browser

Google Voice

Calling Credit page for your Google Account

Google Hangouts International Rates Page

Google Hangouts on Google Android smartphones and Tablets

Google Hangouts on Apple iOS devices such as the Apple iPhone or Apple iPad Mini

Google Hangouts on a Desktop computer

  

Jamaica's Senate passes Dangerous Drugs Amendment Act 2015 - How Jamaica Plans to Export while being a Trans-Shipment point for Cocaine and Illegal Marijuana

Folks, it's now History in Jamaica as Rastafarians in Swallowfield and Nannyville as well as the rest of Kingston and indeed the entire Jamaica must be celebrating a long fought victory.

The Senate (Upper House) on Friday February 6^th 2015 passed the Dangerous Drugs Amendment Act 2015 that basically makes the possession of up to two (2) ounces of Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) a ticketable and non-arrestable offence as reported in the article “Senate Passes Ganja Law”, published Friday February 6, 2015, The Jamaica Gleaner.

It also decriminalizes Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) and Hemp for medicinal, religious, scientific and therapeutic purposes, paving the way for the Marley's to cultivate  Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) and Hemp locally for their Marley Natural Brand in partnership with Privateer Holdings as I’d predicted in my blog article entitled “Marley Natural and Privateer Holdings – How the Marley Family will benefit from Amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act 2015”.

So says the Horse's Mouth on this historic occasion as reported by the Jamaica Information Service in the article “Senate passes Bill to amend Dangerous Drugs Act”, published February 7, 2015 By Latonya Linton, The Jamaica Information Service.

The General Public support this move and is a plus for the PNP (People’s National Party), who many have chosen to pass the Dangerous Drugs Amendment Act 2015 to curry favour with the electorate come 2016, when General Election are constitutionally due.

So basically, what happened here folks? Is Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) and Hemp possession legal in Jamaica? Not quite....

Senate passes Dangerous Drugs Amendment Act 2015 - Focused on Possession but little legislation for Control of Growers

The Debate in the Upper House had resumed on Friday February 30^th 2015 with regards to the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill, after members of the Senate  (Upper House) took a one (1) week break for this eagerly anticipated Debate as noted in my blog article entitled “Marijuana Decriminalization Debates coming January 30th 2015 - Cannabis Licensing Authority to regulate Jamaica’s Marijuana Industry as Hemp free from stigma”.

They then resumed on Friday February 6^th 2015 at Gordon House, here it was briefly debated and the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill being promptly signed into Law with almost no opposition....from the Opposition as noted in the article “Senate resumes debate on Ganja Bill today”, published Friday, February 06, 2015, The Jamaica Observer.

The specific sections of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1984 that were being debated were:

1.      Possession of two ounces or less of ganja be made a non-arrestable, ticketable infraction attracting a fixed monetary penalty payable outside the court system, which does not give rise to a criminal record

2.      Failure to pay the monetary penalty is to be a minor offence, punishable in the Petty Sessions Court by an order for community service

3.      Where the person found in possession of ganja in a small quantity is a minor, or an adult who appears to be dependent on ganja, the person is to be referred to the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) by the police officer issuing the ticket

4.      Prohibition of the smoking of ganja in public places, subject to specified exceptions; and a scheme of licenses, permits and other authorizations to enable the establishment of a lawful, regulated industry for ganja for medical, therapeutic and scientific purposes, and the establishment of a Cannabis Licensing Authority.

The Senators gave arguments with regards to the amendments to the original Dangerous Drugs Act of 1948, which, interestingly was before independence. It was last amended in 1987, again interestingly, to make accommodations for the ShipRider Agreement with the United States of America.

Basically, the Senators on both sides of the bench seemed to have no problem with changes to the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill that would effectively imply that you can grow Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) and Hemp for Profit. They had also debated fines as well, albeit that related more to their value than if they served any purpose.

Their main focus seemed to be on possession among members of the public, about which they put on quite a show of a debate that basically lasted for the session that they convened to debate the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill  as noted in the article “Senators poke holes in ganja legislation”, published Friday, February 06, 2015, the Jamaica Observer.

Which is of course why during the Debates, Minister of Justice Mark Golding was adamant and quick to point out to all who could hear him that this was not a legitimization of the illegal Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) and Hemp and that it was still a criminal offence to poses the drug in larger amounts, quote: “Save for the specific reforms that we have announced, the criminal sanctions for illicit activities involving ganja (will) remain as currently set out in the Dangerous Drugs Act”.

Senate passes Dangerous Drugs Amendment Act 2015 - Robust but short debate suggests Senators have Marijuana Fields

Interestingly, they also took some grievance with the fact that Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Phillip Paulwell was to be the first Director of the Cannabis Licensing Authority, the Regulatory body established to oversee the Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) and Hemp Industry as mentioned in the article “Cannabis Licensing Authority to regulate ganja Industry”, published Thursday, January 22, 2015 7:15 AM, the Jamaica Observer.

So says the Horses' mouth, , the Jamaica Information Service as stated in their article “Authority To Be Set Up To Regulate Medicinal Ganja Industry”, published January 21, 2015, by Alecia Smith-Edwards, the Jamaica Information Service.

This despite Minister Philip Paulwell giving his assurance that he'd endeavour to be the Best Ganja Minister ....er...that is Best Director of the Cannabis Licensing Authority possible, promoting Jamaican Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) and Hemp and making it competitive against other countries doing the same as noted in the article “Paulwell Committed To Making Jamaica A World Leader In Ganja”, Published Sunday January 25, 2015, by Neville Graham, Business Reporter, The Jamaica Gleaner.

Once get the sense that some of the Senators, on BOTH side of the Bench or more specifically the PNP (People National Party) Senators, either had Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) and Hemp growing somewhere waiting for the opportunity to make it legitimate or were investors in Dr. Henry Lowe's BTRDI (Bio-Tech R&D Institute) IPO (Initial Public Offer).

After all, P.J. Patterson, a Medicanja board member and former Prime Minister  declared at the launch of the BTRDI on Wednesday October 29^th 2014 that they (Government of Jamaica) should "fly the gate" or not impede progress as noted in my blog article entitled “Dr. Henry Lowe Medicanja's parent BTRDI launching IPO in 2015 - Why P.J. Patterson “fly the gate” for Hemp and Marijuana products to cure 84 ailments”.

And so they did, being as the Senate is majority PNP by virtue of them winning the election, making the vote a no-brainer and the debate somewhat pointless. And so, what should have been several months of debates was settled in less than a few hours; the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill became the Dangerous Drugs Amendment Act.

Jamaica’s Marijuana Dilemma – Plans to Export while being a Trans-Shipment point for Cocaine and illegal Marijuana

Good to note that despite the focus of the Debate, it's not just a decriminalization of possession of 2oz of Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) and Hemp. By NOT debating the other part of the Bill relating to Growing of Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) and Hemp, the Opposition were implicitly agreeing to give a green light to Investors to start growing Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) and Hemp for medicinal, religious, scientific and therapeutic purposes.

Also the American seemed to have no problems with the passing of the Dangerous Drugs Amendment Act or concerns that it may be a contravention of the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotics.

Public Affairs Officer at the US Embassy in Jamaica, Joshua Polacheck, pointed out that the US of a was focused on Transnational Issues and not the small scale consumption of Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) and Hemp as noted in the article US Says “It's OK To Legalise Ganja But ...”, published Wednesday February 11, 2015,The Jamaica Gleaner.

In fact, earlier on Thursday, January 29^th, 2015, a day before the Senate debate was to commenced on Friday January 30th 2015, Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of the INLEA  (International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs), William R Brownfield, also  pointed out that the US Government had no concern with Jamaica’s Decriminalization drive as it relates to Marijuana as noted in the article “US official cautions Jamaica on ganja legalization”, published Thursday, January 29, 2015 BY ARLENE MARTIN-WILKINS Associate editor - news, The Jamaica Observer.

Rather, the US Government is more concerned with Jamaica being a Trans-shipment destination for Cocaine from Colombia and Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) and Hemp not legally grown on farms to be registered by a Government authority, such as the Cannabis Licensing Authority being currently set up.

To quote Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of the INLEA (International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs), William R Brownfield: “Jamaica deals with another set of problems as well... Some very competent, very talented, very skilled agricultural experts in Jamaica also produce a very high-quality cannabis, which is used both for domestic consumption and there the opportunity presents itself for exports to other markets as well, so Jamaica has to deal with both problems in that regard. [Jamaica has] to deal with one set of problems in terms of being a producer nation... and it has to deal with the impact of being a transit nation as well”.

Plus, they even got support from the principal of the UWI (University of the West Indies), Mona, Professor Archibald McDonald as noted in the article “Pro-ganja lobby endorses changes on eve of Senate debate”, published Thursday, January 29, 2015 By Balford Henry, Observer Senior Staff Reporter, The Jamaica Observer.

Professor Archibald McDonald, who also chairs the Cannabis Commercial and Medicinal Research Task Force (CCMRTF), says that the GOJ (Government of Jamaica) needs to stand firm. Jamaica stands to benefit, despite having signed ShipRider Agreements as well as the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotics. Our blossoming Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) and Hemp Industry is a regulated Commercial industry decriminalized specifically for medicinal, religious, scientific and therapeutic purposes.

It also has a regulatory body, the Cannabis Licensing Authority, that'll seek to work with the Ministry of National Security to make sure that Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) and Hemp growers are licensed and not involved in the trans-shipment of Marijuana or Cocaine.

Best of all, they now have their good friend, the Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Phillip Paulwell, as the Director of the Cannabis Licensing Authority, a position that should by right have been advertised to give other worthy Public Servants a chance to serve in that Capacity.

Effectively, the Senators are setting themselves up to have Minister Phillip Paulwell Rubberstamp approve large Marijuana (Cannabis Sativa) and Hemp plantations that's start suddenly springing up like poppies with Applications to be approved to grow the same for medicinal, religious, scientific and therapeutic purposes.

US Carriers must Carrier Unlock smartphones as of Wednesday February 11th 2015 – How Americans can get their smartphones Carrier unlocked

“We are pleased the FCC acknowledged the participating wireless Carriers met the deadlines to unlock their customers' devices per the Consumer Code for Wireless Service. We also remind consumers that an unlocked device does not necessarily mean an interoperable one since different Carriers use different technologies and spectrum bands”

CTIA's vice president for regulatory affairs, Scott Bergmann in a statement on the unlocking of smartphones as required by the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act on Wednesday February 11^th 2015

American, it’s finally legal to request that your Carrier unlock your smartphone on purchase.

This came into effect as of Wednesday February 11^th 2015, the date on which Telecom Providers are now legally obliged to give customer the option to Carrier unlock their smartphones as noted in the article “UNLOCKING YOUR PHONE IS LEGAL AGAIN: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW”, published February 11, 2015 By Williams Pelegrin, DigitalTrends. 

On Friday August 1^st 2014, my birthday, President Barack Obama signed the “Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act” (S.517) as noted in my blog article entitled “Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act makes Cellphone Unlocking Legal again - President Barack Obama upholds DMCA”.

Americans have thus won the right for smartphone unlocking to be legal on Wednesday February 11^th 2015. Now, whenever you purchase a smartphone, you have the option to either get the Smartphone of your choice on a two (2) year contract or pay the full price and get the smartphone completely unlocked. From that point on you can use your smartphone on any Network that you choose.

Carriers must unlock smartphones on request – CDMA and GSM Network Limitations Still Apply

The CTIA, the trade body that represents all Telecom Provider in the US of A, had committed to meeting the deadline to comply with the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act by Wednesday February 11^th 2015.

Now that it’s legit, no more third-party websites for smartphone is required as detailed in my blog article entitled “How to unlock any phone and put it on any Network - Guaranteed to unlock any Feature or Smartphone on the Chennai Express”.

Smartphones sold before February 2015 can only be unlocked to International Carriers, not other US Carriers. So Jamaicans reading this, that “International Carriers” means “Jamaica”.

All the major Carriers, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, and U.S. Cellular, have all subscribed to the same industry cellphone unlocking standard as noted in the article “US Carriers will now unlock your phone, thanks to law change”, published February 11, 2015 13:00 GMT By Zack Whittaker, ZDNet. Please note the following:

1.      AT&T and T-Mobile and GSM and use a SIM Card

2.      Verizon, Sprint and U.S. Cellular are CDMA Networks and do not use a SIM Card

3.      If the CDMA phone appears to have a SIM Card slot, either you’ve mistaken the SD Card slot for a SIM Card slot, or you have an International version of the smartphone

However, the technology behind the smartphone determines which Network you can switch your plan.

Thus AT&T and T-Mobile smartphones can be unlocked to work on each other Networks as well as any other Telecom Providers within the US of A or internationally that use a SIM (Subscriber Identification Module).  Verizon, Sprint and U.S. Cellular use CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) and thus phones unlocked by these respective Carriers can only work on each other’s Networks as well as any other Telecom Providers within the US of A or internationally that use CDMA.

Carriers must unlock smartphones on request – How to get your smartphone Carrier unlocked

Now for the unlocking bit! Here’s how it works.

The new rules as laid out under the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act apply to both Prepaid and Postpaid smartphones as well as those on a two (2) year plan as noted in the article “US Carriers, you'll have to unlock those phones”, published February 12, 2015 6:44 AM PST by Don Reisinger, CNET News.  

On the Postpaid and two (2) year plan side, once you are in good standing with your Telecom Provider i.e. you've not any payments and the two (2) year contract is at an end, you will be allowed to option by your Telecom Provider to unlock your smartphone. If you have a few more months payments left, you'll have to pony up that money to clear the two (2) year plan before your Smartphone in order for it to be unlocked.

If you’re a Prepaid customer, then life is quite straightforward for you. Simply put, once you've had the Smartphone on a Prepaid plan for no longer than a year, you can get it unlocked from that Network.

Also, there are some service requirements. All unlocking of smartphones must be completed within two (2) days of a request by a customer. Best of all, policies have to made clear to consumers, especially that stuff in fine print that nobody can read clearly unless they have a high powered magnifying glass.

Happy smartphone unlocking Americans. Jamaicans, remember to buy your smartphones Carrier unlocked before you send them down in the Barrel so that I can save on the cost of unlocking the smartphone to have it work on my favourite Network!