CCK cracks whip on mobile phone thieves

That stolen mobile phone handset could soon be of no use to both the thief and the second hand dealer as the industry regulator cracks the whip on the illegal trade.

The Communications Commission of Kenya has issued a warning to mobile phone thieves telling them that their days are numbered.

And in what might spell a death knell on the fast-growing second hand mobile phone market, CCK has equally warned buyers of used phones to be sure of those they are dealing with.

“We wish to inform the public to be careful when going for second hand mobile handsets that they cannot verify their sources,” CCK’s director, licensing, compliance and standards Christopher Kemei, told the Daily Nation on Tuesday.

He spoke on the same day the regulator placed a paid up advertisement in a section of the media warning companies and individuals with gadgets that unblock illegally acquired handsets against such acts.

“This practice encourages theft of mobile telephone handsets and, therefore, poses a major security risk,” said the advert, which is part of CCK’s implementation of the Kenya Communications (Amendment) Act 2009.

President Kibaki assented to the Bill on December 30, 2008 before coming into force on January 2 this year.

Attract fine

“Both acts (possession of the gadget and re-programming of phones) attract a fine not exceeding Sh1 million or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or both,” the commission warned.

Mr Kemei said the move is aimed at curbing illegal re-programming of handsets of car-jacked and robbed customers by having their IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number manipulated before being sold back on the black market.

The illegal unblocking of handsets has been cited as one of the causes why service providers have shied away from initiatives that could see them offer subsidised handsets.

The initiatives, which run as promotions, are usually an agreement between a telecoms firm and a handset manufacturer with the provider offsetting part of the cost thus reducing retail prices.

It is one of the strategies used by providers to net users and boost their subscriber base.

The catch has always been that such handsets are locked to the particular service provider.

Zain Kenya managing director Rene Meza said CCK’s move will encourage mobile operators to continue investing in the industry especially in rural areas where mobile penetration is below 20 per cent.