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Science & Tech., Polity & Governance
Mahesh

30/09/22 06:20 AM IST

IMEI numbers compulsory

In News 
  • The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has made it mandatory for mobile phone manufacturers to register the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) – the 15-digit numbers that uniquely identify each mobile device – of all handsets made in India with the government.
IMEI number 
  • The IMEI is a unique number that is used to identify a device on a mobile network. It has 15 digits and is like a phone’s unique identity. The number is used to verify the identity of a device when a user uses the Internet or places a call through it.
  • This number reveals where the handset is made and its model number. It also indicates the location of the cell phone.
  • Phones with a dual-SIM option have two IMEI numbers, one for each SIM. The IMEI number can help network providers track down a device in case it gets stolen or is lost. Once such loss or theft is reported, the carriers can deny the device access to the cellular network even with a new SIM card.
New Rules
  • The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has made it mandatory for all mobile manufacturers to register the IMEI number of the devices made in India.
  • Every handset must be registered with the Indian Counterfeited Device Restriction (ICDR) portal starting 1 January 2023.
  • The manufacturer shall register the international mobile equipment identity number of every mobile phone manufactured in India with the Indian Counterfeited Device Restriction portal of the Government of India in the Department of Telecommunications prior to the first sale of the mobile phone.
Why these rules ? 
  • The new rules are to curb the rising cases of cloning and theft of mobile phones.
  • India has a Central Equipment Identity Register, which categorises devices based on the IMEI status in three lists – white, grey and black.
  • The white list comprises mobile phones which are permitted to use while the black one has IMEI numbers of devices which are stolen, lost or barred from allowing access to the network.
  • The grey list has operational numbers that are under supervision.
Source- Indian Express 

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