Handset Theft Reduced by IMEI Blocking

Australia's Telstra says that it has blocked from its GSM network more than 10,000 mobile phones reported lost and stolen and seen a reduction in reported handset thefts since it started blocking stolen IMEI's in August this year. Telstra Mobile Managing Director Products, Mr Rick Wakeham, said in the first three months since implementing the safety initiative, 69% of handsets blocked on the Telstra network were reported as stolen while the remainder were reported lost.

"The additional security features available on the Telstra network are clearly benefiting our customers with the reported incidence of lost and stolen handsets falling approximately 23% in 12 weeks," Mr Wakeham said. "While it's early days, this is an encouraging sign for our customers who need to be confident that when they purchase a handset, strong network s! ec! urity features are in place to help protect their investment and well-being."

Recent Telstra market research shows that while 75% of mobile phone users consider their phone "essential", "very important" or "fairly important", 30% of those surveyed are unaware of PIN locking or SIM card locking.

Mobile phones are most likely to be stolen from cars (28%) or social venues such as restaurants, pubs and clubs (20%). However, a substantial number of thefts are from the home (9%) and the workplace (8%), according to Telstra's research.

"The key message from these figures is never leave your phone unattended or in your car, and if your phone is lost or stolen immediately report it to your carrier," Mr Wakeham said.

Mr Wakeham said he looked forward to working with the industry through the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association in fighting mobile phone crime when other carriers introduced security measures on their cellular networks."

Posted to the site on 18th November 2002