| ign="center"> | | | | Don't walk and txt |
| Time was when it took several years to get a new | | | | After you buy a mobile set record the unique 15 or 17 |
| telephone connection in India. Now, there is less | | | | digit code IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) |
| pressure than ever before for fixed landlines as mobile | | | | and keep it in a secure place. |
| phone subscribers appear poised to outnumber those | | | | This digit code is used to identify an individual mobile |
| with a fixed line. By year's end, India may become one | | | | station to a GSM or UMTS network. The IMEI number |
| of the few countries where the mobile revolution is | | | | facilitates an important function; it easily identifies a |
| complete and the mobile reigns supreme, just a | | | | mobile phone being used on a GSM (Global System |
| decade after it was first introduced. | | | | for Mobile Communications) network. |
| At present, the mobile phone frenziness could be | | | | The IMEI is a useful tool to stop a phone that is stolen |
| gauged from the fact that 8.06 million subscribers | | | | from accessing a network and being used. Mobile |
| were added in July 2007 and 7.34 million subscribers in | | | | phone owners that have their phones stolen can |
| June 2007 reads a recent press release by the | | | | contact their mobile network provider and ask them to |
| Telecom Authority of India (TRAI),. According to the | | | | ban or shut off a phone using its IMEI number. With an |
| press release, the total wireless subscribers (GSM, | | | | IMEI number, the phone can be banned from the |
| CDMA & WLL (F)) base in India is 192.98 million. | | | | network quickly and easily. It is important to note that |
| Behind this mobile rage, the reasons which are being | | | | swapping a SIM card will not stop a phone from being |
| cited are - ever-increasing youth population, a | | | | banned. |
| chemistry working behind the status symbol, | | | | Note: An IMEI device is only used to identify the device |
| business-boost and falling charges. | | | | and does not usually relate to a specific individual or |
| With this mammoth mobile phone subscriber, it has | | | | organization. |
| been found incidents of mobile phone theft have also | | | | Note: However, it is possible to change an IMEI with |
| increased many fold. It is worth mentioning, those | | | | special tools and there are certain mobile networks |
| mobile phone that got lost were never possessed by | | | | that do not automatically blacklist handsets. Current |
| their owners again. | | | | statistics state that about 10 % of current IMEI's in use |
| A Serious Issue | | | | today are not unique or have been reprogrammed |
| The problem of mobile phone theft is not going to just | | | | (hacked). |
| go away. Mobile phones have been identified by the | | | | What can be done? |
| police as CRAVED (Concealable, Removable, | | | | There is no magic wand either on the part of mobile |
| Available, Valuable, Enjoyable, Disposable) items that | | | | phone owners or telecom operators to root out the |
| are highly attractive to thieves and this will be | | | | problem. |
| exacerbated as phones become more sophisticated | | | | With the IMEI, the crux thing is that it can be |
| and start to offer users advanced functionality, such | | | | reprogrammed, it does not disable the handset from |
| as the ability to pay for goods and services directly | | | | being usable. All it does is stop calls being made on the |
| through the handset. | | | | network that barred it. The handset itself is completely |
| It has been found major locations where mobile phone | | | | usable and does not lose its functionality. |
| theft occurs are railway stations, bus stops, traffic | | | | Text bombing methods can be used as it has been |
| signals, pathways Motorists who use their mobile when | | | | done in Amsterdam. |
| driving might not only be risking their lives but also be a | | | | Making phone theft unattractive by encouraging the |
| potential target for the culprits. Of late there have been | | | | use of cheap phones e.g Botswana. |
| too many incidences of bikers being robbed on | | | | Offer mobile phone security solution, which monitors |
| roadways. | | | | phone proximity to owner and alarms on any phone |
| When we loose our mobile phone, more than anything | | | | security breach. |
| itâs the personal information that really | | | | Curtailing the ready market of stolen phones. |
| matters. | | | | Rishikesh is the owner of and specializing in the mobile |
| Some Doâs and Donâts to avoid | | | | phone, entertainment and humam interest stories. |
| mobile theft | | | | For more stories. Please Click |
| Avoid using your mobile phone in heavily crowded | | | | Report this article |
| areas | | | | This article is free for republishing |
| Avoid using your mobile phone in public transport | | | | Source: |
| Avoid lending your mobile phone to strangers who | | | | Republish this article |
| might try to trick you | | | | |
| Donât talk while driving | | | | Ask a Question About this Article |
| Avoid leaving your handset in your vehicle | | | | >> Comcast phone lines one phone number with |
| Do not leave you phone unattended in any place, even | | | | two different answer service. Example: press one for |
| at your home | | | | mel press two for rita |
| Use PIN codes to lock your phone | | | | >> Puzzeled |
| Turn off the ringer | | | | >> I would like ask harry a question. |