Dear Editor,
A few weeks ago, as I was paying my bill in advance, I asked a Digicel Representative if the Blackberry that I had bought from them was stolen and I gave them the IEMI number, if they could find it when the unlawful holder activated the phone. The shocking answer was “Sorry we do not do that”. In this day and age of the smart phone, that answer was totally unacceptable and disappointing. A few days later, I went to my favourite telephone company GT&T; they did not pay me to say so. It is my opinion that GT&T is one of the most professional companies I know. For me GT&T in my book is a frontrunner in many aspects, they take care of Guyana’s responsible firearm licensed holders, they treat them with consideration and respect. Anyone that is carrying a concealed firearm, can show the Security Guards present, their National Identification card and a copy of their firearm licence and they are free to enter GT&T’s offices and do business. You do not have to leave your firearm in your car or home illegally! This method, by GT&T, I know is the best and right thing to do. The other companies treat licensed firearm holders like piranhas, and we are the good guys!
Now back to the issue at hand; the sheer incompetence and insensitivity of these two cellular companies left me disillusioned and very perturbed. I was very shocked that the GT&T customer representative told me that GT&T, also cannot find a smart phone if the IEMI is given to them. The question by some readers is: What is the IMEI number of a mobile phone?
Well folks, the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of a mobile phone is a 15-digit number unique to a mobile handset. Just type in *#06# on your mobile phone and it will display its IMEI number in most phones. Yes you unfortunate owners you have learnt something today!
This number, is also usually printed on the compliance plate of the handset usually under the battery. In fact each GSM mobile phone is assigned a unique IMEI code when it is produced.
Any professional carrier that cares for its customers would have systems in place, where it can check information regarding manufacturer, model type and date. One should also be able to verify the above information by sending an SMS as follows. In countries where mobile carriers think about their customers’ needs, one can type IMEI [your 15 digit IMEI number] and send it to 53232 or 57886.
For example IMEI 359223015426526 to 53232. You will receive a message with all available details from the service provider. The IMEI number can help the relevant entities in tracking or blocking your mobile phone if it is lost or stolen. When a phone is switched on, the IMEI number is always transmitted and could be checked against a database in a responsible professional network’s EIR (Equipment Identity Register). The EIR has three categories namely the “white lists”, “grey lists” and “black lists”. The responsible operator can block a handset by putting it in the black list.
Also by using the widely available Global Positioning System (GPS) an operator can track the handset also. The use of these lists and technologies is at the operator’s discretion if they care about their clients. So if the phone is stolen, the police will come knocking at your door. It is either the phone companies are not mandated by the government to do so or they just do not care about the well-being of their clients. This revelation was the most shocking news I have heard from entities, I have paid hundreds of thousands to.
Just the other day , my son lost a HTC HD2 smart phone, nothing could be done about that after a report to the carriers. I am sure that someone is using it right now. If that someone is reading this please contact 623-3944 and I will reward you.
I have a HTC Desire HD, if that is lost, then that is the end of it. This is pathetic, even if the customer has to request and pay for that service, it would be alright.
We all know now that the technology is out there, and the PUC should make it mandatory for the cellular companies to have it! These mobile phones are valued over $150,000 and should be allowed to be registered.
To activate the internet on these phones one has to take in the instrument to GT&T or Digicel for them to activate the service. There and then the unlawful holders should be apprehended.
I am sorry to say it looks like these two telecommunication companies are just about taking lots of money from hapless customers and do not care about their losses!
The Public Utilities Commission should make this service law!
Yours faithfully,
Harold E. Hopkinson
CEO, SI&C Inc.
