India: Telcos make the IMEI Database a reality

The IMEI number, which is a National database containing the unique identity of all the mobile phones is finally going to be launched as a supportive edge is provided by the leading Telcos. This step has been taken in order to block the usage of handsets by strangers if the handset is stolen or lost. TRAI is to put the guidelines and mechanisms into the data base and also decide upon the mode of funding as the proposal for this initiative had come from TRAI.
This national initiative will enable mobile service providers to block all services to those handsets that are stolen, in an attempt to prevent their misuse. Telcos say this will discourage theft, but add that it will not be a 100%fool-proof solution as resellers of stolen handsets can ‘illegally avail technologies that will enable them to reprogram or clone IMEI numbers’. International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number is a unique 14-digit code used to identify valid devices.
“Blocking of IMEI is an effective solution to discourage mobile theft in the country as it will prevent the usage of stolen handset, which is re-sold in the market to some extent. However, it alone cannot serve the purpose as the handsets can be easily be re-programmed and sold in the market,” the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), the body representing GSM operators, said in their response to TRAI.
This industry body has suggested that this central registry be maintained either by the government, or the regulator or by done by an authorised third party, and it be linked to the GSMA database having the white/grey/black list of all the handsets available in the market to reduce the efforts, risk of error and cost of updating the database separately by each service provider.
This would also ensure that a global database of stolen devices is maintained. This also allows devices stolen in India to be blocked in other countries, thereby maximizing the value of blacklisting as it is generally recognised that stolen devices travel across national borders, COAI added. Reliance Communications has suggested the funding towards setting up this directory, its capital and operations expenditures — be provided from the Trai consumer education fund or from the government on similar lines as that of national donot-call registry is setup and maintained.

Ericsson, the world’s largest telecoms gear maker, which also runs the mobile networks of Bharti Airtel and other telcos, has asked the regulator to adopt laws similar to that of the UK and make re-programming of IMEI numbers a criminal offence. 

This position has been supported by several mobile phone operators, including BSNL, Reliance Communications and the Tata Teleservices.

Bharti Airtel and other GSM operators have also urged TRAI to make blocking IMEI of an handset a chargeable service as it involved additional cost in upgradation of networks to support the new requirement, continuous synchronisation with the central registry, handling of additional call in the call centres and manpower requirements to handle such complaints and requests. 

“We propose a cost-based approach or model, based on the estimated opex and number of lost handset requests made to the operators; TRAI may suggest the revenue share arrangement between telecom service provider and the third party who will be maintaining the central registry,” Bharti sources added.

(C) Times of India