Daryl Vaz, minister of science, energy and technology, has indicated that new measurements are to be put in place to prevent the use of stolen phones on cellular networks in the country.

“In relation to the theft of cell phones, coming out of the meeting yesterday, I suspect that we should have measures implemented early on in the New Year, where phones can be disabled by both network providers, so basically the only benefit of the phone after that would be used for spare parts,” Vaz said as he addressed a press conference hosted earlier today by telecoms company Flow.

“Yesterday, I had a meeting with the two telecoms providers (Flow and Digicel) and that meeting was specific to the theft of handsets, which is rampant and happens on a minutely basis, so much so, that people are afraid to take their phones out in public. That’s no way for a country to run and citizens to live,” Vaz noted.

The outcome of the meeting had previously been referenced in a statement from Digicel on Wednesday.

The minister believes that this new cross-network solution, taken by both telecoms providers, will help in deterring the phone stealing culture.

“That will be a huge deterrent if the phones can be shut down and I think both things in parallel will send a very strong signal and of course put us on the right track in terms of what we are trying to achieve.”

He said the new measure will be a joint effort among all interested parties, including the Jamaica Constabulary Force, in ensuring its success.

“It will be done in coordination with the police so that the police can carry out their investigative activities. It’s not just a matter where someone steals a phone and it’s disabled or shut down and of course he goes on to steal others, the police will have a component in the structure that we are developing,” Vaz shared.

READ: Daryl Vaz | Vision 2030 at risk: The impact of theft and vandalism on national development