In line with what the National Communications Agency (ENACOM) has been doing to reduce cell phone theft, at the last Board meeting, the Agency’s authorities unanimously signed three Resolutions that aim to combat the theft of equipment and reduce the risk of fraud in the acquisition of mobile terminals.
As a first measure, the ENACOM Board of Directors established an update in the Procedure for Blocking Terminals with reporting of Theft, Theft or Loss and the identification of irregular IMEI.
This process allowed the incorporation of marketing entities that are not licensees of telecommunications services and are dedicated to the manufacturing, distribution and/or marketing of ETM to the definitions already contained; and the Original Mobile Terminal Equipment (ETMO), the one that could be identified, within a group of ETMs with duplicate IMEIs, as the original bearer of the IMEI.
From this, the marketing entities must report the theft or theft of mobile terminal equipment to ENACOM for the purposes of blocking it and incorporating the corresponding IMEI into the Negative Database, so that these equipment cannot be used on the networks. mobiles.
On the other hand, the PSCM must arbitrate the necessary means for the identification of the Original Mobile Terminal Equipment, in order to exempt its user from the block.
Finally, the power is incorporated for the Agency to compile statistics from the information related to the theft of terminals, provided by the Mobile Communications Service Providers (PSCM) as long as no personal data is revealed.
In this framework, the Board of Directors of the Entity sanctioned the Model Agreement “Device Check Services Agreement with Regulatory/Law Enforcement Agencies (Web-based Searches and API) and the Model Agreement “GSMA Device Check “License Agreement for Governments”.
The first offers Device Verification Services related to the “lost” or “stolen” of mobile phones through web technologies and API, services that exclusively allow “read-only” access to the database of international operators that have been reported as lost or stolen property of GSMA.
The second establishes that the GSMA provides Device Verification services that allow users to consult an IMEI to check if it has been reported as lost or stolen in the database, to which GSMA gives access to those regulatory bodies. that demonstrate their commitment to combating mobile phone theft. This service is made available to users through the ENACOM website.
The GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications) is the association of mobile operators and related companies, dedicated to supporting the standardization, implementation and promotion of the GSM mobile telephone system.
As background, in April 2016, ENACOM and GSMA signed the “Agreement with the Regulator (Public Access) for searching the IMEI blacklist” in order for the Entity to have access to reading the IMEI Database. the “International Mobile Equipment Identity” (IMEI) numbers of stolen or lost devices owned by GSMA, in order to provide all mobile phone users with a free query tool for stolen and lost devices, Inside and outside of the country.
Consequently, and with the objective that ENACOM maintains access to device verification facilities provided by the GSMA to provide services to users and organizations under the aforementioned terms, it is appropriate to sign new agreements with said organization.
This action carried out by ENACOM reinforces its constant commitment to security and anti-fraud policies; Having access to the services provided by GSMA allows us to continue providing this vital technical support to jurisdictional bodies and Security Forces with the highest quality standards and in accordance with the international policies promoted by GSMA.
As a third measure within this comprehensive strategy, ENACOM established the framework agreement with the Ministry of Security that aims to establish a general method of action to program and develop joint and coordinated technical assistance activities to the security forces dependent on the Ministry in the framework of inspection and control operations related to the operation, security and other competencies, in commercial premises that function as wholesale and retail points of sale for various elements of technology and telephony in which the assistance of Entity personnel is required. with the technical knowledge necessary to determine situations linked to fraud in GSM devices.
Therefore, ENACOM, according to its specific competencies, will provide assistance for the purposes of:
a) Determine any irregular and/or stolen, stolen or lost devices.
b) Confirm if the terminals have reports of Theft Theft or Loss.
c) Check if there is any adulteration of the IMEI of the terminals.
d) Coordinate collaboration with the different actors in the communication ecosystem regarding possible irregularities (Anti-Fraud areas).
e) Provide information that allows determining its origin.
ENACOM Resolution No. 2459/2016 created a Procedure for Blocking Terminals with respect to Theft, Theft or Loss and the identification of Irregular IMEI, which mainly establishes the obligations that Mobile Communications Service Providers and Operators must comply with. Virtual Mobile Phones (OMV) regarding the blocking of equipment with reports of theft, theft or loss, and the identification of irregular IMEIs that operate on their networks, as well as the obligations to load and update negative databases (BDN). or “negative lists”.
ENACOM is responsible, within its own jurisdictional framework, for the implementation of actions that contribute to the prevention of crime, applying its specific knowledge regarding Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services and new technologies. .
In April of this year ENACOM organized the first discussion on cybersecurity with the presence of representatives from different public organizations as well as WhatsApp in Latin America, Mercado Libre, Personal Telecom, Grupo Telefónica, Claro, Prisma, Red Link and Fortinet. At this meeting, the role of the State in relation to the regulation of technologies and their safe use was addressed in an interdisciplinary manner through public policies that protect both the actors in the sector and its users.
Along the same lines, in September a meeting was organized between the areas specialized in fraud and judicial requirements of the Mobile Communications Service Providers (PSCM) and the investigation areas of the Ministry of National Security, moderated by ENACOM, with the objective of coordinating issues related to available information, request mechanisms and tools available in order to speed up response times.
ENACOM, in its permanent commitment to the security of the entire ecosystem linked to mobile communications services and, consequently, to the security of citizens, has maintained its collaboration with Ministries, governorates, international organizations, and with the security forces of different jurisdictions and judicial bodies to deepen and update security measures related to ICT as a State policy sustained over time.