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Thread ID: 79005 2007-05-05 06:00:00 cell phone tracking possible? silversurfer (12216) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
547327 2007-05-06 00:48:00 Just type in that and it brings up IME...

I had heard, but don't know if it is true or not, that Vodafone can block phones and Telecom can't.
Shortcircuit (1666)
547328 2007-05-06 01:28:00 The IMEI is also printed on the phone, usually under the battery cover or similar

In mine it is also clearly printed on the back of the phone, as a 15 digit number.

As hinted above, not all networks in the world have implimented the IMEI.

From Google:
"The GSM MoU's IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) numbering system is a 15 digit unqiue code that is used to identify the GSM/DCS/PCS phone to a GSM/DCS/PCS network.

When a phone is switched on, this unique IMEI number is transmitted and checked against a database of blacklisted or greylisted phones in the network's EIR (Equipment ID Register).

This EIR determines whether the phone can log onto the network to make and receive calls".

Unknown if it can be done here or not. The above suggests its primarily a GSM feature but CDMA will have either an ESN or IMEI number.
godfather (25)
547329 2007-05-06 01:51:00 if i use it and the police have it tracked can my position be pinpointed? silversurfer (12216)
547330 2007-05-06 03:59:00 It will be simplest to just not buy stolen cellphones, but I doubt if police consider locating stolen cellphones a high priority thing . Any cellphone can be located to the nearest cell site easily, and it is "possible" to get better position information .

When all cellphones have GPS chips, it will be easy and routine to locate a phone to a few metres . Big Brother will be watching .
Graham L (2)
547331 2007-05-07 08:50:00 Silversurfer... yes in a way. They can only pinpoint the area served by the phone because of the cell transmitter/receiver used.
Even to use this ability requires a court order and you would have to be a serious criminal for it to be requested.
Try not to believe all the crap you see on TV.
pheonix (36)
547332 2007-05-07 14:02:00 Yes, IMEI numbers can be blocked here in NZ. If you have a valuable phone, its definitely worth noting it down. Insurance companies are also happier to pay out if you've written it down and they know you've contacted Vodafone to have it blocked in the event its been lost / stolen.

Vodafone actually write down the IMEI number of your cellphone when you purchase it from them from what I understand...
Chilling_Silence (9)
547333 2007-05-07 21:26:00 Just type in that and it brings up IME...

I had heard, but don't know if it is true or not, that Vodafone can block phones and Telecom can't.

Telecom can - my father had his phone stolen a few years ago (it was 027) and Telecom blocked it for him.
pcuser42 (130)
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