Telecom Lead America: The main mobile network operators
(MNOs) in Latin America have joined forces with the regional governments to
reduce mobile phone theft and related crime throughout the region, according to
the GSMA.
At a meeting of the CROG Latin America, public affairs
representatives of the regional MNOs have agreed to start exchanging stolen
handset information via the GSMA’s IMEI Database.
The agreement among these regional MNOs is expected to
conclude in March 2013 and it will be covering more than 500 million mobile
connections throughout the region.
Under this voluntary initiative, GSM MNOs in the region
will be able to share stolen mobile device information, which will help them in
blocking stolen devices and make their trafficking and reuse across the region
more difficult.
Thirteen Latin American mobile operator groups have
pledged to work together across the region to block the use of stolen devices.
This joint effort by all regional operators to be part
of this initiative will help regulators in our countries to face and address
this scourge,” said Javier Delgado, Chair of the CROG Latin America.
These GSMA member operators are América Móvil, Antel,
Cable & Wireless Panama, Corporacion Digitel, Entel Bolivia, Entel Chile,
ICE, Tigo Colombia, Nextel/NII Holdings, Nuevatel PCS Bolivia, Orange Dominican
Republic, Telecom Italia and Telefonica.
Sharing of information via the global IMEI
Database is an important collaborative step that our member MNOs are willing to
take and is also proof of how public and private sectors can work together to
address specific issues of concern to society and governments. While information
sharing can help to reduce crime, it is essential to explore and adopt other
measures to ensure appropriate detection, prosecution and punishment of such
crimes,” said Sebastian Cabello, GSMA Latin America Director.
Latin American mobile services market to reach $112.97 billion
in 2017: Frost & Sullivan
The Latin American mobile services market earned revenues
of $79.56 billion in 2011 and is estimated to grow at 6 percent CAGR to reach
$112.97 billion in 2017, mainly driven by the increasing relevance of mobile
broadband and value added services.
editor@telecomlead.com
