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The two British mobile networks that refused to disable stolen mobile phones
have caved in to political and consumer pressure and reversed their policy
(New Scientist, 19 January, p 6).
BT Cellnet and Vodafone have agreed to
install the necessary systems to make it possible for them to block the unique
handset ID numbers for phones that have been reported stolen or lost. The
British government and rival networks had argued that their failure to keep
track of, and block, international mobile equipment identity codes made it
possible for thieves to use stolen phones. Despite the change of heart, the two
networks believe thieves will soon find another way to use stolen phones.