Starting today, Vodafone will use International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) blocking technology to prevent mobile handsets that have been reported lost or stolen from being used on its network. It is the second carrier to introduce the technology, after Telstra introduced it in August 2002.
However, Grahame Maher, managing director of Vodafone Australia, said IMEI blocking would only be effective when used by all mobile phone carriers as a joint initiative. "We'll be working with other carriers to share information to ensure they are blocked across all networks. We look forward to the day when all providers are using this method," Maher said.
An Optus spokesperson told ZDNet Australia the company planned to have the technology implemented by 31 March 2003, at which point the vast majority of mobile phone users in Australia would be covered.
"The fact that we have different types of mobile technology means we have to implement slightly different [IMEI blocking] technology," she said. She pointed out that Australia is only the second country in the world to have all the carriers implementing IMEI blocking, after the UK.
The carriers recommend several actions that can be taken to improve the security of your phone. This includes engraving your initials and licence number on the phone and battery, setting the PIN and the SIM-card lock, and noting down the IMEI number of your phone, which can be found by pressing *#06#.
They also recommend reporting your phone missing as soon as you realise it, much as you would a credit card, to avoid the potential of receiving high bills.
I've had 2 mobiles stolen from me, and one other attempt in my 4 years of using them. This is a good idea, I'm glad they're finally doing it.
It will also kill the mobile phone insurance fraud going around. People who report their phones lost or stolen, sell them and get a replacement from their network. The best method of crime prevention is to stop people from being able to commit the crime...