Date:05/07/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/07/05/stories/2009070555220800.htm

National

Ban on import of mobiles without unique number

Sandeep Joshi

Handsets without IMEI are a security threat and cannot be tracked down

NEW DELHI: After much delay, the government has finally decided to ban imports of all mobiles without the unique identification number — International Mobile Equipment Identity — and asked all operators to stop service to subscribers who are using phones without the IMEI number.

Security agencies have been demanding the ban on mobile phones without the 15-digit IMEI number in view of the increased threat perception. For, it is difficult to track down such handsets. It was revealed that terrorists behind attacks were using mobile phones without IMEI numbers.

The IMEI number prevents the use of stolen handsets for making calls.

While the Director-General of Foreign Trade has issued the notification imposing the ban on import of mobile handsets without the IMEI number, the Department of Telecommunications has told all mobile operators to stop service to subscribers who are using such handsets.

Initially, the mobile operators opposed the move fearing loss of subscriber base and revenue, but later sought time so that mobile phones without the IEMI number could be given unique identification numbers. However, the government has decided not to give any further extension; as a result, the operators have started disconnecting such phones from their network.

As per industry estimates, over 2.5 crore phones without the IMEI number, mostly Chinese and Taiwanese-made cheap handsets supplied from grey markets, are in operation in India. The ban will hit Chinese and Taiwanese manufacturers, whose cheap handsets have been flooding the Indian grey market and have posed a threat to the national security and caused revenue loss to the government.

To help those subscribers having handsets without the IMEI number, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), representing GSM operators, has developed software that will provide unique numbers for all such handsets. The software has been approved by the security agencies and the DoT. The COAI and the Mobile Standard Alliance have decided to set up outlets to help mobile phone users get the IMEI number for their handsets and stop them from going non-functional.