Tag Archives: stolen phones

Stolen phone database alive, carriers can now block pilfered handsets

Posted on by

US carriers agree to build stolen phone database, blacklist hot handsets

Earlier this year, all the major US carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint) huddled up with the FCC to create a stolen phone database so that they could block any renegade devices. That effort has now gone live, according to the CTIA, as the majors -- along with Cellcom and Nex-Tech Wireless -- have just deployed their bad-lists. These will allow the operators to identify poached devices through IMEI codes and stymie their activation on networks. AT&T and T-Mobile will also be adding cellphones reported stolen in the GSMA Global IMEI database to their new lists, which should bring US efforts up to snuff with a similar, successful UK program, albeit five long years later.

Filed under: ,

Stolen phone database alive, carriers can now block pilfered handsets originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Nov 2012 09:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Slashgear  |  sourceCTIA (PDF)  | Email this | Comments

US carriers agree to build stolen phone database, blacklist hot handsets

Posted on by
US carriers agree to build stolen phone database, blacklist hot handsets
What's the best way to deter a thief? Ruin the spoils, of course. Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint have agreed to a broad outline that will culminate in the creation of a central database for stolen cellphones. The goal? To block lifted units from functioning on US shores. Over the next six months, each firm will build out its own stolen device database for integration into a larger, central database, said a Wall Street Journal source, with regional carriers joining the effort over the following two years.

"We are working toward an industry wide solution to address the complexity of blocking stolen devices from being activated on ours or another network with a new SIM card," said a T-Mobile spokesperson, "This is not a simple problem to solve." The quartet of wireless providers hope to imitate the success UK carriers have seen with similar efforts. With any luck, the program will put an end to massive phone-heists and the awkward public relations stunts that imitate them.

US carriers agree to build stolen phone database, blacklist hot handsets originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 23:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceWall Street Journal  | Email this | Comments