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Wireless Developer Network - Daily News

Phoneguard your mobile

URL(s): www.pwcconsulting.com

Magic4 aims to reduce mobile theft using SMS technology to remotely disable mobile handsets

January 10th 2002, Warrington, England: To combat the alarming growth in mobile phone theft, UK mobile messaging specialist magic4, is developing 'Phoneguard' - a mobile application designed to remotely disable stolen handsets, rendering them immediately unusable by the thief.

Simon Wilkinson, CEO of magic4 said: "Almost half a million teenagers aged between 11 and 15 have fallen victim to mobile phone theft and the industry is facing calls from the police, consumers and government to tighten up security and arrest this trend. Magic4's Phoneguard technology is being developed with the aim of not only making stolen phones useless but, perhaps more importantly, to provide the deterrent to stop the initial, traumatic theft."

Phoneguard, in development at magic4 since Q3 2001, sends a specifically encrypted SMS message that immediately disables the mobile phone - in a similar way to operator SIM blocking we see today.

For example, a handset is stolen and the user notifies the operator, who then blocks the SIM card. Should a new SIM card be placed in that stolen phone, the handset will send an SMS to the operator containing data such as the serial number for the inserted SIM, country code, network code and even Cell ID. The operator can then decide to send a 'kill' message or can track the phone. If the phone is recovered, the disable command can be simply rescinded.

"Mobile theft is reaching unacceptably new heights and it is avoidable with technology that is available today. PwC Consulting has the expertise and magic4 has the technology, and we are working together with telecom operators to integrate these solutions into current commercial markets," said Sandy Aitken, Mobile Business Partner at PwC Consulting EMEA.

That thieves find mobile phones very desirable is without question - thefts of mobile phones have risen by 400 percent over the past two years. Utilising existing SMS technology, Phoneguard will render the handset unusable by the thief, undesirable to steal and aims to reduce the violent incidences of theft seen in recent weeks.

Phoneguard has already received interest from operators and handset manufacturers and is due for commercial launch in 2002.

magic4 is at the forefront of the mobile messaging revolution, offering a range of products designed to enhance the way users interact with devices. Their flagship product is the patented advanced packet-based messaging client that allows rich multi-media content and forms based transactions to be delivered over packet-based bearers such as SMS and GPRS. magic4 is spearheading industry adoption of wireless VAS, m-commerce solutions and enhanced SMS messaging through an extensive partner network of operators and platform, content and service providers.

Launched in March 2000 with backing from 3i and Philips Enterprises, magic4 has a 50-strong team with bases in Asia, North America and Europe.

About PwC Consulting

PwC Consulting* (www.pwcconsulting.com) is a leading global provider of services that transform the businesses of established and emerging enterprises around the world. With an extensive network of global alliances, deep industry-specific knowledge, and broad capabilities in strategy consulting, process improvement and technology integration, PwC Consulting practitioners place innovative ideas into bold, meaningful actions that can help realise a strategic vision, drive business success, and enhance enterprise value for our clients.

PwC Consulting* refers to the management consulting services businesses of the member firms of the worldwide PricewaterhouseCoopers organisation.

PricewaterhouseCoopers (www.pwcglobal.com) is the world's largest professional services organisation. Drawing on the knowledge and skills of more than 150,000 people in 150 countries, we help our clients solve complex business problems and measurably enhance their ability to build value, manage risk and improve performance in an Internet-enabled world. PricewaterhouseCoopers refers to the member firms of the worldwide PricewaterhouseCoopers organisation.

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