NEWS / MOBILE PHONES

Mobile Phones Without IMEI Numbers Blocked

01 Dec, 2009, 4:27 pm IST | by tech2 News Staff | Mobile phones

Mobile phones in India that do not have IMEI numbers have been blocked. It is being reported that that number could well be 25 million.

On October 29th we had carried a report that said that mobile handsets without the unique identification number, which helps authorities track users, will face disconnections by December 1. Holding true to that millions of phones have now been blocked.

The International Mobile Equipment Identity or IMEI is a 15-digit code unique to every GSM and WCDMA and iDEN mobile phone, as well as some satellite phones. It is usually found printed inside the battery compartment of the phone. It can also be displayed on the screen of the phone by entering *#06# into the keypad. This number appears on the operator's network whenever a call is made and the absence of this number makes it impossible to trace either the caller or the phone or to access call details.

According to Indian intelligence agencies, phones without IMEI numbers - that are mostly cheap, unbranded phones - have been used by militant groups to stay under the radar.

According to the Indian Cellular Association 30% of all phone sales in the country are of the unbranded ones, which are mostly imported from China.

Read the full story here.

Tags: IMEI , India

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