www.lifhaus.com.sb

"Finders keepers, Losers weepers" and this could be the case in a reported "lost" mobile phone in Lata.  Reporting for Lifhaus, our Lata correspondent related the story of a mobile phone which had gone lost a few months ago only to surface again with the same SIM.  However, Lifhaus has been informed that the illicit trade of stolen mobile phones may be facing a stiffer battle now that Our Telekom has the capability to block handsets and SIM cards from registering on their Breeze mobile network.  An increasing number of mobile phone users in Honiara and the provincial centres are now beginning to use this service.

"The story goes that the mobile phone was lost a few weeks ago.  Then a relative called the mobile phone last week and it rang.  The caller then notified the phone user that the mobile phone had been lost recently and it should be returned to the owner immediately."  The person holding onto the phone was quick to clarify that he had bought the SIM from a friend and that he was in Honiara after travelling on MV Sunrise the previous week.  "The case was reported to the Lata Our Telekom office which then traced the call and concluded that the person had in fact lied and is still in Lata."

Further action needed to be taken, so the owner reported the matter to local police.  To date, the person who has possession of the mobile phone is refusing to cooperate with authorities and has turned the mobile phone off.  "The phone has been turned off since he heard that the police had been informed."  Our correspondent also highlighted that "we are aware that Our Telekom is now able to track mobile phones and lock handsets plus the SIM from accessing their network so we have pursued that course of action."

Company engineers in Honiara have indicated that they will now block the SIM and handset from registering on the Breeze network.  Lifhaus understands that proper procedures have to be followed in order for this to happen.  Company sources indicate that "to safeguard the abuse of this service, a police report must accompany this request because the company cannot indiscriminately block phones based on unsubstantiated reports." 

However, the capability is now offered as a service to all Breeze mobile phone users.  Lifhaus was informed that if you have been a victim of stolen mobile phones you can report it to the police then use that report to ensure that Our Telekom blocks the handset including the SIM from registering on its mobile phone network.  "That means the user is not able to use the handset on our network, even if they buy a new SIM card."  Lifhaus was unable to confirm if buying a bemobile SIM can circumnavigate this process.

Our Lata correspondent is optimistic that this matter will be resolved shortly.  "This service by Our Telekom may not help you recover your handset but it could be a deterrent for those who steal mobile phones.  If this system was not abused, it could go a long way in causing grief to those that trade in stolen mobiles.  I think Our Telekom is doing a great service by offering this service to the public.  People should use it more."