“In early 2025, Bell saw a more than 500% increase in robberies and attempted robberies at its retail stores. Before the policy took effect, thieves frequently targeted retail outlets because brand-new unlocked devices could be activated immediately on any wireless network. While the policy sparked debate over compliance with federal Wireless Code rules that ban selling locked devices, Bell maintains that temporary network locks are the most effective deterrent against organized retail crime. It’s not just Bell that has implemented this phone locking policy. Update August 10: Telus told iPhone in Canada it would start locking its cellphones in October of this year.