The Hindu Business Line : TRAI paper on ways to curb cellphone theft

THE Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has suggested blocking of handsets and collaborative efforts among operators and manufacturers of handsets to curb the large-scale thefts of mobile phones. It has also suggested the development of Equipment Identity Register (EIR) database, with a centralised EIR together with procedures of exchanging information and for blocking of handsets that are reported to be stolen.

This has been stated in the consultation paper that has been issued by the authority with a view to seeking opinions and suggestions on the best way of dealing with the issue of mobile thefts.

According to an official statement, mobile phone theft and its re-use is becoming a major problem in all countries. This also has a serious security dimension.

In India too, despite rapid growth of the mobile telephony market, there is still a wide gap in the costs of handsets in the grey market and the legitimate market. The problem of theft of handsets in cities, especially metros, is becoming a matter of concern. TRAI has been considering for sometime the need to evolve a regime to disincentivise theft of handsets through legislation and other policies.

Recently, some steps have been taken in the UK to address the matter of mobile phone theft, through legislative change and efforts to collaborate on database development and data sharing. A number of other countries in Europe are also considering similar steps.

"Given the importance of the matter of mobile phone theft for consumers and security concerns, the authority has released a consultation paper which summarises some relevant aspects of the problem, lists out certain findings and the current position of different countries on this problem, and takes up a solution considered by the UK and other European countries as a starting point.

"The paper notes a wide range of actions required to curb theft of mobile handsets which involve data collection, dissemination and use, legislative actions, public awareness programmes, and collaboration among various entities, both within the country and outside, which include operators, manufacturers of handsets, the police and other Government departments," the TRAI has said.

It also said that a comprehensive solution would require major effort and time, and it would be necessary to identify certain initial steps which would begin the process of addressing the theft of mobile handsets, and would yield significant results.

"These steps are suggested as blocking of handsets and collaborative efforts among operators and manufacturers of handsets in this regard. It is thus suggested we could begin with the development of Equipment Identity Register database, with a centralised EIR together with procedures of exchanging information and for blocking of handsets that are reported to be stolen."

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