More than 54 million customers of Sprint (News - Alert) Nextel will benefit from the decision taken by the company to provide the programming code necessary to unlock their cell phones. The settlement is being extended to all customers who bought a Sprint phone between Aug. 28, 1999, and July 16, 2007.

 

Being a pioneer in the industry, Sprint Nextel offers complete range of wireless and wireline communication services. With a mission to extend advanced connectivity to its subscribers, the company is consistently designing and developing innovative technologies.

 

Sprint took this crucial decision leading to the proposed settlement of a California class-action lawsuit, filed last year, accusing the company of anticompetitive practices, which explains that the company is not allowing the customers to jump to other operator without having to buy a new phone.

 

Sprint’s wireless subscribers can now switch to the other CDMA operator without having to buy another phone — effectively, that means Verizon (News - Alert) Wireless or Alltel will beneficiaries.

 

The codes will not work for Sprint’s Nextel-branded phones, which use iDEN technology, nor will they enable switching to AT&T (News - Alert) or T-Mobile, which use global GSM technology in their networks.

 

Sprint Nextel spokesman Matt Sullivan said, “We believe this settlement is fair and reasonable, so we can continue to focus on our business. Sprint doesn’t expect to pay any financial damages as part of the settlement, other than possible legal fees.”

 

The company mentioned that the unlocking codes would be provided to all the customers both current and former once their phones are deactivated and the bills are cleared. The company will also provide sufficient support and information about the locking software and way to obtain the unlocking codes.