SASKATOON – SaskTel has launched a database for pre-owned mobile devices reported lost or stolen in an effort to reduce thefts on Saskatchewan’s network.
The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) and its wireless carrier members, like SaskTel, launched an electronic database for blacklisted devices on Monday.
This only applies to wireless devices that have been reported as lost or stolen as of Sept. 30, 2013 and on.
“SaskTel is committed to minimizing handset device theft within our province and the country and we are pleased to offer our customers the ability to report lost or stolen devices,” said Ron Styles, SaskTel president and CEO.
CWTA’s website ‘Protect Your Data’ allows anyone to check the International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI) number of any mobile device to see if it is black-listed in Canada.
SaskTel has deployed its own Equipment Identity Register (EIR) to keep an internal list of black-listed IMEIs.
Canadian wireless carriers are also participating with some U.S. wireless carriers to interconnect with the GSM Association (GSMA) database to blacklist IMEIs of 4G/4G LTE devices.
The IMEI database acts as a central hub for networks to share blacklists, making it possible to deny service to devices from working on other networks even if the SIM card is changed.
“Black-listing lost and stolen devices will essentially eliminate the black market for stolen devices in Canada and the U.S. by reducing the value of mobile devices for criminals,” said Styles.
When the EIR downloads the latest blacklist, all reported devices from other carriers up to the previous day can be blocked on the SaskTel network.
CWTA says it is imperative that customers immediately report lost/stolen devices to their service provider so they can add them to the blacklist.
SaskTel customers can call 1-800-727-5835 or inquire in person to report devices and see whether or not one has been blacklisted.
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