Lost Phones

Lost or stolen mobile phones will now become almost worthless. When the owner of the phone reports it missing, it will be blocked on all digital networks across the country. Since April, all mobile phone carriers have been blocking lost and stolen phones on their own networks.
From 15 September Australia's GSM network providers - Optus, Telstra and Vodafone - have agreed to send a list of lost, stolen or found mobile phones to each other every day so the identified mobile phones can be blocked or unblocked on all digital networks within 36 hours. This system will go a long way to fixing the epidemic of mobile phone theft-each year in Australia more than 100,000 mobile phones are reported lost or stolen. Graham Chalker, Chief Executive Officer of AMTA says: 'Anyone thinking about stealing or receiving a stolen phone will now have to think twice before getting it reconnected.'

The mobiles industry has spent more than $7 million on technology to block IMEI numbers. This includes the development of technology to block IMEI numbers on each GSM network and for AMTA to share the information between the carriers. AMTA uses a messaging platform which was developed by the Australian Communications Industry Forum called the Electronic Information Exchange (EIE). The hosting, operations, support and maintenance of the EIE are provided by Paradigm One Pty Ltd. At the launch of the system the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Richard Alston, welcomed the introduction of inter-carrier IMEI blocking on all GSM networks, which is a world first initiative for Australia. 'This is an excellent example of the mobile phone industry working together and with government, law enforcement agencies and consumer groups to achieve a better social outcome,' Senator Alston said.

The Australian Government is currently developing legislation to make it an offence to 'rebirth' stolen mobile phones by modifying their IMEI. The proposed Commonwealth offence will complement State and Territory theft offences that already cover the act of stealing mobile phones. Under the proposed legislation it will be an offence to possess or control data or a device with the intention of it being used, by that person or another, to illegally modify or change the IMEI of a mobile phone. 'Inter-carrier IMEI blocking will make mobile phone theft less attractive, but it is up to individual mobile phone owners to look after their phones and minimise the risk of them being stolen,' Mr Chalker said.

IMEI numbers are independent of the phone number and are usually written underneath the battery or on the back of the handset. Mobile phone users can also check their 15 digit IMEI number by dialing *#06# on their mobile handset. Mobile phone owners should make a note of their IMEI number and keep the details in a safe place.

If your phone is lost or stolen, notify your network carrier and the police immediately and provide the IMEI number, serial number and any other information that will help to identify the phone such as phone model, engraved names and colour. Your network carrier will put a block on the phone using the IMEI number, rendering it useless on all GSM networks.

We are no the authors of this information, but we thought you would find it useful, for full articla please visit:

http://www.dcita.gov.au/communications_and_technology/