It is a terrible feeling to have your phone or other mobile device stolen. Just knowing that your gadget and all of the data it contained could be in the hands of a potential criminal. Not to mention your loss of presumably expensive equipment.

AT&T is reportedly working on a mobile solution to prevent this same scenario from ever becoming a reality. With plans to remotely block lost and stolen phones, there may no longer be any desire for thieves to steal them.

In the past, phone carriers were able to deactivate only the SIM card that was installed in phones, meaning a new card could be placed in the phone and it bing lost forever. The new solution puts on block on the phone firmware itself disabling any calls or texts transmitting from the device. This option makes it easier for customers to quickly reactivate their device after retrieving it.

This service is said to launch with AT&T as soon as July 10th of this year – assuming the release goes according to plan. It may be safe to assume that the service will work with existing devices (including AT&T tablets)

Additionally, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint have collectively decided to create a national database of stolen phone. This would prevent the activation of stolen devices across all four networks and deter such criminal activity.

These plans are simply to reduce the amount of mobile device thefts and make thieves think twice about stealing a new paperweight.

More details about the release can be seen below.

Release Details