In an attempt to reduce the ease of cellular phone trafficking, the Government is considering legislation that would require the network providers to better track the devices.

Leading this charge is Opposition Member of Parliament for the St. Andrew West Central constituency, Andrew Holness.

In previously-published reports he stated, "Whereas this unregulated transfer makes theft of cellular phones a lucrative crime, be it resolved that the Government move to implement laws to make it illegal for anyone to tamper with the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number on mobile GSM phones."

Suggestions are also being tabled whereby service providers would be compelled to create a database of all mobile phones in the island and that database is connected with other GSM mobile service providers internationally.

In this regard, Cable & Wireless head of corporate communications, Errol K. Miller says, "If the Government passes a law that affects us, C&WJ will comply."

But not everybody shares that sentiment and therein lies the potential problem.

PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS

Digicel's commercial director, Harry Smith, said, "We are concerned about crime, but we do not want to make the phone the villain.  We need solutions that are practical and will have an impact.  And, what about phones stolen in the United States?  Crime does travel.  We want to control theft, but we do not want to create a bureaucracy."

However, Alex Hill, MiPhone's vice-president of sales and marketing, sees things slightly differently:

"MiPhone strongly supports any laws that would make tampering with or changing identification on the cellular phone illegal.  However, in regards to a compulsory database of IMEI's linked to other GSM operators, MiPhone would expect to be exempt.  We would ask that any proposed legislation be informed of all the technologies being used here in Jamaica."

And this is where things can get sticky because not all the network providers use the same technology.  In fact, because of the particular technology MiPhone uses, CDMA, they already have a database in place to prevent cell phone trafficking.

Mr. Hill explains, "In CDMA networks you do not have SIM cards.  The CDMA handsets each have a unique ESN (electronic serial number), which is extremely difficult to change.  In a CDMA network, a mobile phone number is assigned and programmed into the handset.  The network operator (MiPhone) therefore is keeping track of the mobile phone number AND the ESN of the handset to which that mobile phone number is assigned.

Therefore, as a fundamental operating aspect of the CDMA network, MiPhone keeps track of both the ESN of the handset that the customer is using and the mobile phone number assigned to that handset.  If a MiPhone customer loses or has their phone stolen, they simply report it to the customer care unit.  Based on the mobile number, they then "blacklist" the ESN.  If the thief tries to have the phone activated with a new MiPhone mobile phone number, the ESN will come up as stolen and they will not active that phone."

However, the other network providers can also implement tracking devises such as the Government envisions, but the problem is cost and logistics.

In terms of the cost of implementation, " "The cost to operators today of implementing local stolen phone databases, on a per subscriber basis, is prohibitively high," said Rob Conway, CEO of the GSM Association in previously published reports.  "This has been a significant barrier to implementation for many operators, in many markets of the world.  Our members are in need of more cost effective solutions, tailored to the needs of their markets."

Mr. Smith explains, "Whatever solution the Government comes to must take into consideration the implications for the international cell phone manufacturers.  It is not just about Jamaica."

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