{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221181332/http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-fcc-agreement-with-cell-phone-providers-to-allow-consumers-to-unlock-mobile-devices-", "Blumenthal Statement On FCC Agreement With Cell Phone Providers To Allow Consumers To Unlock Mobile Devices", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "CT", "Richard Blumenthal", "B001277", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Thursday, December 12, 2013\n\t\t\t(Washington, DC) \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) released a statement following the Federal Communications Commission\u2019s (FCC) announcement of an agreement with cell phone providers that will allow consumers to unlock their mobile devices. The FCC\u2019s announcement comes on the heels of \u00a0the Wireless Consumer Choice Act of 2013 \u2013 legislation introduced by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Blumenthal in March \u2013 which directs the FCC to take action to ensure consumers have the right to unlock their cell phones.\n\u00a0\u201cThis decision by the FCC allows consumers to vote with their feet without being forced to buy a new phone. As consumers shop around for the latest smartphones this holiday season, they deserve to know they can take their investments with them \u2013 just like laptops or television sets \u2013 if they choose to switch providers. This move by the FCC will provide consumers with that certainty. I commend the Commission, the NTIA, and my Senate colleagues for working hard to give wireless consumers the protections they deserve. I will work to ensure providers uphold the letter and spirit of this agreement.\u201d\n\u00a0In February, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and the White House voiced their support for efforts to allow consumers to unlock their cell phones \u2013 giving them more control over their phones and increasing competition in the wireless market. These announcements came after a decision was made by the Library of Congress to not extend the exemption to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act permitting consumers to unlock their mobile devices.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tPress Contact\n\t\t\t\t\tJosh Zembik - 202-224-6452 Josh_Zembik@blumenthal.senate.gov", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221181332/http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-fcc-agreement-with-cell-phone-providers-to-allow-consumers-to-unlock-mobile-devices-"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9616711176931858, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}