Comment Re:Buy full price, then (Score 5, Informative) 86
You are missing some important details here that the original post excludes for some reason. These unlock requirements were imposed on Verizon as part of a deal in 2007 that gave Verizon an exclusive license to use the 700mhz C-Block spectrum nation wide. Previously the 700mhz band was used for the upper section of the TV broadcast spectrum, and parts of it were for free public use and emergency services. Because the 700mhz band has very good range and building penetration capabilities, Verizon agreed to these requirements in order to gain exclusive access to use it. Personally, I don't think the FCC should have caved to Verzion here, the 60 day mandate was the cost of the advantage that Verizon gained with the C-Block spectrum.