Mobile phone theft: The operators fight back

The UK's mobile phone companies cannot agree on the best way of cutting down the escalating problem of handset theft.

The current argument surrounds the value of using international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) numbers as a basis to fight crime.

In theory, each handset has its own IMEI number, and if a user reports the details to their operator after it's stolen, that operator should be able to stop the handset being used on any network thereafter (assuming a central database of all IMEI numbers existed).

But in practice, things are rather different.

Virgin Mobile has sided with Orange and One2One in the quest to create a central database of stolen mobile IMEI numbers.

But BT Cellnet and Vodafone have refused to join the IMEI phone security club because they believe there are problems inherent in the system that negate the point of spending millions to upgrade their networks.

Cellnet claims software can be used to reprogram phones with new IMEI numbers. Furthermore, 10 per cent of IMEI numbers are not unique, which means blocking one number could actually stop many innocent users making calls.

But Virgin for one is convinced crime could be cut if all the network operators cooperated on the issue.

Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Mobile, said in a statement: "If all five networks were capable of blocking IMEI numbers we could easily share these numbers."

However, Jack Wraith, spokesman for the Mobile Industry Crime Action Forum (MICAF), was sympathetic to Cellnet and Vodafone's concerns.

Wraith said: "There are so many holes in the IMEI security argument it would be a very unsound base to build a total solution on. Three years ago all UK operators tried to create a central database for stolen IMEI numbers. The project ran into all sorts of logistical problems."

Wraith said obstacles included cooperation between network operators and law agencies, recording all the correct details and negotiating legislation including the Human Rights Act and the 1998 Data Protection Act.

In the meantime the Home Office is chairing meetings between the operators regarding mobile security and has asked them to submit proposals for new legislation. If Virgin, Orange and One2One win the argument, BT Cellnet and Vodafone may be forced to make their networks IMEI compatible.

A spokeswoman from the Home Office said: "They have not responded but as we've made clear, we will consider legislation if effective action is not taken."