Manufacturers agree measures to cut phone theft
The global trade association for mobile operators and leading manufacturers including Motorola, Nokia and Siemens have agreed on measures to reduce the theft of mobile phones in the world.
A series of comprehensive measures to enhance the integrity of handset identities (IMEI - International Mobile Equipment Identity) will be set up.
It is also hoped that the effectiveness of Equipment Identity Registers (EIR) currently in use to disable further use of phones once reported stolen, will be greatly improved.
The GSM Association is also to undertake a concerted drive to improve the database register of stolen phones, so that GSM mobile operators can work together to prevent the re-use of stolen phones.
Rob Conway, CEO of the GSM Association said today: "This commitment by manufacturers, together with the continued extension of the GSMA's handset database are critical elements in tackling the problem of handset theft."
Mobile operators 02 and Vodafone both welcomed today's agreement.
