Police intercepted a shipment of 20000 mobile phones at Heathrow airport at the end of last month. The handsets were suspected to be stolen. />The investigation is being carried out by the National Mobile Phone Crime Unit (NMPCU) and follows surveys of the cargos IMEI numbers. DI Kenny McDonald said 97 of the handsets were considered suspect. />The NMPCU is working with a network to find the devices origin.

Vodafones five pre-pay distributors have signed up to stringent new terms on box-breaking while North-London electrical distributor BDC has been dropped having been warned of the new terms in January. />20:20 Data Select Elite Mobile European Telecom and Swains Â’ better known as a distributor of photographic equipment but also a pre-pay supplier Â’ have agreed to crack down on box-breaking and increase their vigilance around the practice. Vodafone head of channel partnership Alistair Firth said: Weve worked closely with these guys and recognise their ability to reach customers we cant. />It formalises our commitment to that channel and gives our partners a clear view of our expectations. It removes the ambiguity in what were looking for as a network. />The contracts which carry heavy claw-back penalties for box-breaking incorporate new forecasting stock reporting and brand usage as part of their revised terms. />BDC which had its contract terminated on March 1 refused to comment. The Vodafone logo was still displayed on its website at the time of going to press. />Firth said: We saw too much suspect SIM activity from BDC and tried for months to find a solution. It was one of the catalysts but the decision had been on the agenda for some months. We couldnt work out between us how to deliver an improvement in quality. />Firth said Vodafone would review its pre-pay distribution contracts as the need arose and would regularly monitor data from its distributors. />Group director of Data Select parent company Phones International George McPherson said: Weve been working with Vodafone for some time on how to benefit everyone. Its accommodating the fact there is nothing perfect in this world. Last year we were regularly reviewing things with Vodafone Â’ if there was ever an issue we worked within the channel to improve things so were used to working in that environment. />Swains managing director Alan Comer said: It was an issue we were constantly keeping an eye on because its in nobodys interest. />Were hoping to monitor it more closely. For instance with any one who orders a large quantity of handsets that particular order will be investigated. />If we dont take greater care then there will be penalties but were comfortable with that on the basis of the monitoring process we are putting in place. />20:20 CEO Mark Ryan said: Pre-pay business has been very demanding over the years. Vodafones extensive review has resulted in a commitment to work with 20:20. />Elite Mobile managing director Ajay Gokani said he welcomed the contract changes and that it would be business as usual. />In terms of monitoring box breaking he said: Were in a fortunate position in the way we work that we go down responsible channels so its not been a major factor.

Orange has been forced to issue new dealer passwords after a security breach of its Enable online credit checking system. />Orange suspended its system after reports that an unauthorised user had been able to access customer data. />An Orange spokesperson said: We recently became aware a third party was trying to access our sales system which some of our sales channels use to register new customers and upgrade existing customers. We have suspended the system while we investigate the matter further. />The Enable system allows dealers to process customer upgrades using confidential customer information. />

Link Telecoms new Nokia-accredited repair service at its Angel phone store in Bradford has proven a hit with customers processing hundreds of orders since opening in February. />Technical services manager Johann Shepherd said Bradfords first ever Nokia-accredited service centre had established itself well in the community. />Theyre happy its a five minute drive. Its easy access rather than travelling 15 miles to our store in Leeds said Shepherd. The majority of repairs are for software problems or mechanical repairs and we give a lot of technical advice. />Howard Buckle who worked for nine years as an engineer at Link Telecoms Leeds repair centre is in charge. />Said Shepherd: Howard is probably one of the highest level engineers in the UK. His knowledge of Nokia is so extensive he probably knows as much as the techies at Nokia. />Link Telecom runs 14 retail outlets in West and North Yorkshire.

BT launched a new VoIP service last week aimed at SME and SOHO business customers. />The service Office Anywhere allows internet access and free VoIP calls capped at an hour in length using BTs 2000 Openzone Wi-Fi hotspots in the UK and Ireland. The services launch device is the HTC S620 smartphone free for a limited period on contract. />Customers can choose either a 250 or 700-minute bundle. Its three data bundles allow from 10Mb to unlimited downloads from £39.50 -£75.50 per month. Calls to UK mobiles are capped at 25p for up to an hour and International VoIP calls from the UK to landlines are capped at 10p or 20p for up to an hour depending on location. />BT chief of mobility Steve Andrews said: For the past few months we have been trying to incorporate applications and services for our SME and SOHO customers who want to be on the move accessing push email. Its an attractive device and there is clarity of pricing in terms of calls and data. />We also wanted to see if we could give better experiences with broadband and cheaper VoIP. We are hopeful it will take off rapidly. />The HTC S620 includes a QWERTY keyboard and runs Adobe Internet Explorer Microsoft Word Excel and PowerPoint. />Office Anywhere can be purchased from BTs websites and stores.

Avenir is offering dealers vouchers for department store Harvey Nichols in return for Orange business connections. The new incentive rewards dealers for connections to Oranges Business Plus and Business Advance Plus tariffs until June 30. />Avenirs Irish dealer base will be able to redeem the vouchers at Harvey Nichols or Debenhams. One dealer will also win a made-to-measure hand-cut suit from />Savile Row. />Avenir managing director Tanny Price said: This initiative is part of our focus on driving the distributor sector forward in seizing the opportunity of converging technologies. />Orange head of sales and marketing for dealer distributor and mass markets Steve Heald said: It is a creative idea that should inspire participation while communicating a strong business message.

Customers of offshore financial services provider UMBS Online continue to suffer at the hands of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) according to Birmingham-based Dass Solicitors. />According to Dass SOCA refused permission for UMBS to make a number of fund transfers under powers conferred by The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. A recent application to the High Court by UMBS to try and secure the release of the funds was unsuccessful. />UMBS offers banking services to both private individuals and corporations worldwide with no limitations on customers or money. />Dass Solicitors Jake Stacey told Mobile News: This situation reflects continuing harassment by HMRC of companies in our market sector. As far as we are aware Â’Â’Â’ we are still trying to get hold of all the information Â’Â’Â’ it is not the companies that are trading with UMBS that are affected by the order but the company itself. />On March 20 HMRC obtained a restraint order against assets held by UMBS on behalf of its clients. On April 12 UMBS unsuccessfully appealed to have the order changed which is being appealed in court. />Stacey said: I have asked to see the restraint order but HMRC wont provide it citing client confidentiality. Strange as some of those involved are our clients. We are still trying to find out whats going on. We await copies of various court hearing transcripts from UMBS and HMRC. />As far as I am aware UMBS is still trading. Theres been no regulatory intervention. But as far as the detail is concerned everyone is in the dark. />UMBSs situation is markedly different from the fate suffered by First Curacao International Bank (FCIB) which was placed into administration in the Dutch Antilles. />Said Stacey: This is an ongoing saga. Even if the administration court rules in our favour we may still not get the money released. FCIB change the goalposts regularly. They came up with a set of objective conditions that customers must fulfil before they get the money that is rightfully theirs. />These involved clients providing certain documentation which they did last December but still havent received their money. We may be forced to set up a group action in the Dutch Antilles to deal with this. />

Manchester-based online dealer Expansys said last week it will make acquisitions and expand its operations abroad following its £25 million debut on the AiM market earlier this month. />The handset and accessories retailer hopes to generate £10 million to support its growth. />Expansys CEO Robert Butterworth said: Weve grown very rapidly in the last six years. As a result and to keep growth going we need to recapitalise our business and to raise working capital. />Having looked at our various options we decided an AiM float was the best one. As a result we will be taking on more product lines a couple of small acquisitions and looking at international expansion. />Butterworth said Expansys will venture into physical retail. The online market is increasing in size and its where selling technology works well Butterworth said. Were not certain how it will go but so far the reception from investors has been good. />Expansys was ranked 57th on the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 list of growing businesses. The group generated a £54 million turnover last year.

Online dealer Mobiles.co.uk last week joined the Orange dealer federation becoming the first web retailer to be awarded Orange Specialist Partner (OSP) status.

It won entry to the scheme by meeting a strict set of performance indicators over a sustained period said its managing director Simon Mason. He added the recognition was a tribute to its policies processes and procedures.

OSP dealers get a revenue share scheme better commercials customer service and marketing support. Mason said:

We have been actively working towards OSP status with Orange since September 2006 and this award recognises the effort undertaken in reaching and maintaining these standards.

Im delighted to have received recognition from one of the major networks that Mobiles.co.uk is a quality volume connector. Im also proud were the first and web-only reseller to be awarded OSP status.

Orange head of indirect Steve Heald said:

The quality sales propositions and service offered by Mobiles.co.uk is delivering Orange customers exactly what theyre looking for on the web right now.

Frinton-on-Sea independent dealer Justin Humphry is taking to the high seas on his jet ski to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Royal National Lifeboat Institute. />Humphry will begin his journey from Frinton beach at high tide on July 14 heading anti-clockwise around the United Kingdom. />He is looking for sponsorship from the mobile industry. Log onto www.jetskicharitychallenge.co.uk to make a donation.