The US Senate Judiciary Committee is taking up the issue of mobile device unlocking.  It appears that the senate committee is supporting a version of a bill that will allow consumers to unlock devices so they can change carriers.  Importantly, this bill also will allow “bulk” unlocking of devices, which the house bill currently prohibits.  This is important for individuals and companies that own devices, as it directly impacts the ability to resell a used device.

Most people want to upgrade their devices every 18 – 24 months.  Much of this upgrade activity is fueled by the ability to sell the used devices for relatively high prices.  Without the ability to unlock devices, the resale values would drop significantly.

A good overview of the senate bill and its impact on the reuse market is provided in this blog post over on iFixit.org.

Mobile phone unlocking also allows users to switch carriers and still use the same device that they have purchased.  It also enables the buyer of a used phone to choose their carrier based on plans and coverage, and not what’s baked into the phone.

In addition to the resale value of tablets and smart phones to the individuals or enterprises, environmental organizations have been concerned that without the ability to sell their used devices, many people might just discard them.  Even with current high resale values for mobile devices, many of them do not get recycled or reused.

Lifespan can ensure data erasure of your company’s smart phones, tablets and iPads.  Learn more about this process from this free whitepaper: Wiping Data on Mobile Headsets.

Main image credit: Waldo Jaquith, flickr