Trying to negotiate anything with a wireless carrier's support center is infuriating, let alone an unlock code. Without an exemption for using third-party software to unlock devices, the only way to break phones and tablets free from carrier's software locks was by asking the carriers themselves. In late 2012, the Librarian of Congress had removed an exemption from the DMCA for cellphone unlocking. That 'voluntary' agreement came at the last minute, after months of pressure from the FCC. That letter announced that all four of the major carriers had committed to adopting six voluntary measures to make unlocking cell phones easier for consumers. In December 2013, the wireless trade group CTIA wrote a letter to the Tom Wheeler and the other commissioners of the FCC. Long overdue reform of the DMCA's anti-circumvention law is the only way to protect a consumer's right to unlock.

Third-party unlocking is still critical.

The voluntary measures are missing a critical criteria: interoperability.

AT&T has met almost all their unlocking commitments.

Update 02/17: Verizon may only have such a liberal unlocking policy becuase the FCC required it as part of their 700MHz Block C auction.

Sprint and T-Mobile have failed to fulfill half their own voluntary commitments.

At&t unlock code