Typhoon Ondoy devastated the National Capital Region (NCR) and nearby provinces a few days ago. In a disaster situation, communication is important - to coordinate with family and friends, access information from government agencies and non-government organizations (NGO) and access to the news.

Unfortunately, with power turned off (for safety reasons), the mobile phone is the next best thing (with an AM transistor radio a close second). Unfortunately, one of the local mobile service provider’s cell tower (or three) was hit by the typhoon and rendered their service non-existent in several areas. Imagine the frustration of not being able to contact friends and family to ask for assistance. It would have been easier if everyone carries more than one mobile phone - one for each network. Unfortunately, this is not cost effective. However, with SIM cards going for as low as 40 pesos, it would be easier to carry a SIM for each carrier and an unlocked mobile phone.

This way, should one network becomes inaccessible for some reason, you can easily swap the SIM with one from another network. If you are using an iPhone or an HTC Magic or any of the carrier-locked mobile phone, then you are out of luck!

Carrier-locked mobile phones are usually subsidized -- making it more affordable whilst locking you in a 24-month contract with the service provider. If you do the math, you will find out that you are actually paying more for the handset compared to an outright purchase.

What I find a bit unfair is why can’t the mobile phone service provider UNLOCK the subsidized-phone AFTER the 24-month contract has expired? In some countries, this is possible -- why can’t we do this?

Mobile phones should be sold unlocked. Outright purchase require the consumer to pay for its full price. Carriers can offer unlocked, subsidized versions with a contract. The key here is still -- UNLOCKED. Having UNLOCKED mobile phones, subsidized or otherwise, is important for us, Filipinos. Local carriers do not have a blanket coverage of the entire archipelago, and even if they do, if one network fails, you do not have any other option.

I believe that it is a necessary for our lawmakers to require that all mobile phones sold in the country be factory unlocked -- prohibit carrier-locking. OR perhaps require mobile phone service providers to unlock phones after the end of the subscription and offer unlocked versions of any carrier-locked mobile phone models. Sounds reasonable, right?

If you think that this is a good idea, please sound off -- send me e-mail at macntux (gmail.com).