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CTIA Says Stolen Phone Database Is Complete

Nov 27, 2013, 4:47 PM by Eric M. Zeman

The CTIA Wireless Association today announced that the major network operators in the U.S. have completed work on a stolen phone database. "The global, multi-carrier, common database for LTE smartphones has been finalized and implemented in advance of the November 30, 2013 deadline," said CTIA President and CEO Steve Largent. "The matter of stolen devices is extremely important to the wireless providers, which is why they worked so hard over the last year to meet each deadline on time. As more countries and more carriers around the world participate in the 3G and 4G/LTE databases, criminals will have fewer outlets since these stolen phones would be blacklisted and could not be reactivated." Largent went on to remind consumers that they should play their own role in deterring theft by exercising caution when using their devices out in public and by using apps that can remotely lock or wipe their device. He also called on network operators outside the U.S. to participate in the stolen phone database to help prevent criminals from selling stolen devices internationally. "By working together with everyone – from the wireless companies, law enforcement, policymakers and consumers – we will make a difference," added Largent.

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Comments

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This forum is closed.

Tofuchong

Nov 29, 2013, 9:59 PM

Anybody played GTA V ?

Install the same deterrant in real devices as is installed in the Life Invader missions in GTA V. Someobdy tries to use a stolen phone, BOOM. No more head.

Seriously, that would be a pretty damn good deterrant.

Jellz

Sure, sure. Good idea, but the bleeding hearts would go all "It's not humane"...

Poison Ivy

That's the same thing people who support death penalty believe, that it will stop crimes from being commited.
Sadly, crime rates have increeased.

but at least it will lower the problem with overpopulation a bit... 🤣

...

rwalford79

Nov 30, 2013, 12:17 PM

Who Is This For?

Is this wireless data base for the consumer or for the protection of the carrier?

Ironically, CDMA already blocks and bans ESN/MEIDs from being activated on their networks if they are not "branded" devices, deactivated by the carrier, lost, stolen, or the account they were attached to never had the ETF paid off (even if the account is 10+ years old and written off).

As for GSM, European carriers already have done this for a decade or more anyway. Leaving at least one giant mobile device market out for thieves to not be able to use devices in.

I look at this as a way for carriers to lock down more devices. Eventually it will expand into lost devices not just stolen ones, it will expand into devices with balances on them, etc... Th...
(continues)

Globhead

Or maybe some swindler reports their phone "stolen" to get a new one (when I worked in a phone store, numerous sociopaths would actually announce their intention to do such things and ask me if it would "work"), and then sells the old one on ebay.

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