Unlocking cell phones is now illegal in the U.S., making it
harder to switch carriers  KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Everyone likes to
have options, especially when it comes to cell phones and
service providers. Now though, a new federal law criminalizes a
fairly common and pretty easy cell phone switch.  "It's a bit of
a freedom thing and it's stopping consumers from doing what they
want, but it's the law," said Mission Repair owner Ryan Arter.
He is describing new phone regulations, which kicked in
Saturday, Jan. 26. The Library of Congress reached the ruling in
October.  The law makes unlocking cell phones illegal. That
means once a consumer buys a phone, they have to stay with the
original service provider.  "Carriers want you to fulfill your
contract, so they don't want you to buy a phone from them and go
to another carrier," Arter said.  He said consumers can still
get permission from their service provider to unlock a phone.
Arter said legally-unlocked phones are also available directly
from the provider, but th