Pakistan to Start Blocking Stolen Phones

Pakistan telecoms regulator, the Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has announced that the system to block stolen mobile phone handsets will be functioning on September 30, 2006. PTA chairman while announcing the decision said that PTA was working to finalize the modalities of this system with the help of mobile operators, federal and provincial police departments and City Police Liaison Committee (CPLC).

The system will enable blocking of stolen or snatched mobile handsets through their International Equipment Identity Number (IMEI) which is a unique number of each handset. Equipment Identity Register (EIR), installed at mobile phone companies, will block the handset using IMEI Number, once the snatching or theft is reported by the consumer. The consumer will be responsible to provide IMEI number, even though the most recent IMEI registered on the network is usually stored in the network's HLR database.

The Chairman said that PTA has developed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) which will be handed over to mobile phone operators to streamline the reporting of stolen or snatched cell phones. He said that PTA is also launching an awareness campaign to educate the telecom users about the reporting of snatched or stolen mobile phone. The reporting procedure has been kept simple.

The Chairman said that CPLC and Police will be the key players. PTA will ensure that all mobile companies update their database and that data will be shared by all provinces. He said that PTA is striving hard to facilitate the present telecom sector boom in every possible manner."

Posted to the site on 20th September 2006