Supertel deactivates mobile phones reported as stolen

The Superintendence of Telecommunications (Supertel) permanently shut down 165,000 mobile phones that had been reported stolen.

According to Supertel, around 2.5 million of mobile devices irregularly registered were detected and subsequently issued a santion card for the three mobile phone companies operating in the country.

In addition, the regulatory agency reported that only 38% of mobile devices on a national scale are legally able to work.

The Supertel began a campaign in early 2013 to fight cell theft in Ecuador.

Supertel President Fabian Jaramillo explained the procedure conducted by the “cachineros” (illegal mobile phone salesmen) for allegedly returning stolen phones to operation, consisted in the use of software that duplicated the IMEI (identification code of the equipment worldwide).