U.S. Senator Mark Pryor today asked the Federal Communications Commission to identify solutions that prevent wireless providers from reactivating stolen phones, which he believes will crack down on violent cell phone robberies.
Pryor said tens of thousands of cell phones are stolen each year, with many incidents involving violent robberies where criminals can quickly resell phones on the black market to make an easy profit. Criminals are able to profit from these crimes because service providers are unable to differentiate between stolen and legitimate phones. According to a recent investigation by NBC’s Today Show, a new technology is now available that would allow manufacturers and wireless providers to identify stolen phones and prohibit reactivation of service.
Pryor’s letter to FCC Chairman Genachowski can be found here.
