[globile]

Disclaimer: I run an unlocking business.

Not exactly the same thing, but operator unlocking was deemed legal in 2013...

https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-13-041/statement-regarding-whit...

...and measures were put in place to oblige operators to assist consumers in unlocking their phones.

Fast forward to 2018, and nothing really has changed. Unlocking a phone legally via you operator is a nightmare. They'll make you jump through 17 hoops and you will give up. Customer retention is key.

When operator unlocking is not possible, rooting a phone or playing with base settings is the only way, so this is great news.

However, I have a strange feeling that things won't get much easier. As has happened with operators, hardware manufacturers will go to great lengths to protect their playground.