Elevator SIM-Card Thefts Create Headaches in France

Thieves are stealing SIM cards that facilitate elevator emergency calls in France, with the Aubervilliers area in Seine-Saint-Denis particularly affected, Gearrice reports. The Aubervilliers Public Housing Office (OPH) observes that 80 out of 150 elevators recently had their SIM cards removed, resulting in elderly people and others with mobility issues being stuck at home or forced to traverse stairs. OPH estimates it has spent approximately EUR500,000 (US$534,637) to cover recent damages. To combat the problem, OPH has started using NTM, rather than SIM, cards in its elevators. NTM cards work on only one device and, once in a smartphone, automatically become useless. “The OPH is pleased to see the number of vandalisms drop since implementation of this technique,” the source observes.