27 March 2019
By improving supply chain security and protecting subsidised, financed and leased devices, the new service will assist operators in their fight against smartphone theft, fraud and trafficking.
African mobile network operators can dramatically reduce smartphone theft, fraud and trafficking following the launch of a product by mobile cyber security firm Trustonic.
The new Asset Lifecycle Protection Service (ALPS) will also help them to safeguard their device investments, protect revenue and drive additional profit contribution. Trustonic, which is based in the UK, said two key services that will aid African operators include supply chain security and protecting subsidised, financed and leased devices.
The former protects devices by locking them at the moment they are produced and safeguards every stage of the lifecycle – and every participant involved – by making devices worthless to thieves. The latter prevents the use and resale of devices if instalment payments are not made. Once the subsidised plan is paid in full, a subscriber can request the device to be unlocked. Alternatively, once a lease agreement ends, devices can be locked if not returned.
Ben Cade, chief executive officer, Trustonic said a global crime wave of stolen, fraudulently obtained and sold-but-notactivated smartphones “is costing operators billions of dollars in lost revenue annually, not to mention the loyalty of defrauded customers” and the safety of employees. “After developing and proving the service with some of North America’s largest operators, Trustonic is pleased to launch ALPS in Africa and globally,” he said. “Our relationships with device makers and the impartial, trusted role we play in the ecosystem means Trustonic can rapidly deliver a single solution to operators that protects revenue across their device portfolio. African network operators can now take control in their fight against fraud, theft and device trafficking by improving supply chain security and protecting subsidised, financed and leased devices.” Cade said it not only solves a billion-dollar problem for the industry, it also added a significant contribution to their bottom line performance.
