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In OZ, the carriers block at the IMEI level, so if a phone is stolen you can't use it in Australia (unless you can change the IMEI to one that the carriers recognise as valid)
http://www.lost.amta.org.au/

Why doen't the USA do this as a sterting point?

Smart phone theft doesn't seem to be much of a thing in Australia (at least where I live), possibly because any phone reported stolen has its IMEI blocked from accessing any of our telecommunications providers until the owner reports it as returned (if this page is to be believed, it reduced theft by 25% over the past seven years, which is impressive given the explosive growth of mobile phones in that time). Sure, it's not perfect, because some phones do allow you to change the IMEI, it doesn't brick the device, and the device can still be disassembled for parts (though I assume it's a little more challenging to sell the parts without identifying their origins here), but it seems to be a sufficient deterrent to prevent casual theft.

It's actually super interesting to see the responses other people have posted, presumably Americans, which assume either that this type of law is fundamentally unacceptable or that their government will use it to silence dissent in the event of an uprising (which seems highly improbable, and if it did occur your cell networks would likely be shut down anyway so the phone is irrelevant). That doesn't seem to be something that people consider likely to occur with the cell blocking here - I assume, but cannot verify, that most people here find the law useful - so it's an interesting division of attitude.

Smart phone theft doesn't seem to be much of a thing in Australia (at least where I live), possibly because any phone reported stolen has its IMEI blocked from accessing any of our telecommunications providers until the owner reports it as returned (if this page is to be believed, it reduced theft by 25% over the past seven years, which is impressive given the explosive growth of mobile phones in that time). Sure, it's not perfect, because some phones do allow you to change the IMEI, it doesn't brick the device, and the device can still be disassembled for parts (though I assume it's a little more challenging to sell the parts without identifying their origins here), but it seems to be a sufficient deterrent to prevent casual theft.

It's actually super interesting to see the responses other people have posted, presumably Americans, which assume either that this type of law is fundamentally unacceptable or that their government will use it to silence dissent in the event of an uprising (which seems highly improbable, and if it did occur your cell networks would likely be shut down anyway so the phone is irrelevant). That doesn't seem to be something that people consider likely to occur with the cell blocking here - I assume, but cannot verify, that most people here find the law useful - so it's an interesting division of attitude.

No, this is overkill.

I live in Australia and had a phone lost/stolen a few years ago (I say lost/stolen because it was my fault I lost it, but when I called the number, some random picked up and talked with me for a minute, until it became obvious that I was the owner of the phone and that I wanted it back, at which point they abruptly hung up). All I had to do was call my provider and report the phone lost and the IMEI was blocked on all Australian networks within a day or two.

Note though that YOU have to provide the IMEI, which usually acts as sufficient proof of purchase/ID. I couldn't just call up and say "please block my phone". I had to call, prove I was the account holder, AND read them the IMEI I wanted blocked (which was on the box the phone came in). They obviously have a record of what IMEIs were used on the account, but I still had to tell them which to block, both as a security measure and because I could have potentially used any number of phones on that account/with that SIM card, so they need to ensure the correct phone is blocked.

If you're looking to purchase a second hand phone in Australia, on the other hand, you should always ask for the IMEI and check it on this site: http://www.amta.org.au/pages/amta/Check.the.Status.of.your.Handset - this allows you to check whether an IMEI is blocked in Australia or not.

No, it's done with IMEI.

I had my phone stolen a couple of years ago in Australia (it was a Motorola feature phone of some description). Went home, found the box it came in and noted the IMEI. Called my carrier, said my phone was stolen and quoted the IMEI. It agreed with an IMEI they had seen associated with my account (which they will obviously check so you don't just quote a random IMEI with no proof it has anything to do with you). So they blocked it.

The 'block' is just a blacklist that all Australian carriers have access to. If an IMEI appears on the blacklist, it will not be permitted to connect to any carrier's network. It's just within Australia though ... if they phone is taken overseas it will work just fine.

Anyone can check the status (blocked or not) of any IMEI using this site: http://www.lost.amta.org.au/

The plan does not come with a free phone. The plan comes with a phone that you make payments on built into the connection payments contract. After you phone is stolen you must continue to make payments and it is up to you to organise a replacement phone. http://help.telstra.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/17260. If you choose to buy a second hand replacement phone then you should go here http://www.amta.org.au/pages/amta/Check.the.Status.of.your.Handset to make sure it is not stolen. Of course you can pay extra, for premium care ie handset insurance policy and they will replace a stolen phone.

Note that is an internationally registered numbered so phones are bricked in all countries that co-operate.