NEW DELHI, India—Leading Thai operator AIS has decided to unlock its network access code to allow customers to procure handsets of their choice from any source—legal as well as smuggled channels.
The AIS move comes in the wake of a similar decision taken by its rival DTAC last month.
DTAC had removed its network access lock, technically known as the international mobile equipment identification (IMEI) code. This action was a pre-emptive move to meet the challenge from the new market entrant TA Orange, which opened its network to all phones.
The decision of leading operators not to insist on network locks is likely to boost gray markets in handsets and potentially reduce operator revenues.
