Apparatus and method for locking a mobile communication unit

A method of allowing a user to lock a mobile communication unit in a cellular communication system, the cellular communication system including a mobile switching center and the mobile communication unit being identified to the mobile switching center by a mobile identification number, the method comprising:

• the user remotely and without operator assistance accessing the mobile switching center;
• receiving the mobile identification number from the user of the mobile communication to be locked at the mobile switching center;
• and
• the user instructing the mobile switching center to inhibit operation of any mobile communication unit once identified by the mobile switching center as having the same received mobile identification number.

An apparatus for locking a mobile communication unit in a cellular communication system, the mobile communication unit being identified within the cellular communication system by a mobile identification number, the apparatus comprising:

• a mobile switching center for processing communications within the cellular communication system;
• means for remotely accessing the mobile switching center, said means for remotely accessing the mobile switching center comprising means for registering the mobile communication unit with the mobile switching center;
• means for communicating the mobile identification number of the mobile communication unit to be locked to the mobile switching center;
• and
• means for instructing the mobile switching center to inhibit operation of any mobile communication unit once identified by the mobile switching center as having the same communicated mobile identification number, said means for instructing the mobile switching center comprising means for determining the time period since the mobile communication unit last registered with the mobile switching center and for instructing the mobile switching center to inhibit operation of any mobile communication unit identified by the mobile switching center as having the same communicated mobile identification number if the time period exceeds a threshold value.