A significant change recently made headlines as the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has mandated all mobile phone manufacturers to enrol the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of each device manufactured in India on the Indian Counterfeited Device Restriction government portal. The same rule applies for mobile phones imported into India, requiring their IMEI number to be registered before import.
Understanding the IMEI Number
The IMEI is a unique 15 digit number assigned to identify a device on a mobile network. It essentially acts as the phone’s unique identity. Both the telecom department and the customs department work in tandem to record the IMEI numbers of handsets coming into India.
Purpose of the IMEI Number
The primary function of the IMEI number is to authenticate the identity of a device during web browsing or call sessions. Dual-SIM phones possess two IMEI numbers, one for each SIM. If a device gets lost or stolen, the IMEI number assists network providers in tracking it down. In such cases, network carriers can block access to the cellular network even with a new SIM card.
How IMEI Number Helps in Categorisation of Devices
Previously, the Communications Ministry initiated a Central Equipment Identity Register (CIER). This register categorises mobile phones based on IMEI status into three lists – white, grey, and black. Devices with IMEI numbers listed as white are permitted for use, while those on the blacklist, representing lost or stolen devices, are prohibited from accessing the network. Greylisted devices don’t meet standard requirements but are allowed to connect under supervision.
Prevention of IMEI Number Tampering
In an attempt to prevent tampering with IMEI numbers, the Government declared it a punishable offence in 2017. Violators can face penalties, including potential jail time.
The Need for Mandatory IMEI Number
There have been instances where IMEI numbers have been reprogrammed to create duplicate handsets or facilitate fraudulent activities. Since the supply chain is broad, a device with a counterfeit code can easily be sold without detection. This move also aims to reduce theft and cloning of mobile phones, which is not only a financial issue but poses risks to personal safety and national security.
Reference to Previous UPSC Civil Services Examination
To give an example of how understanding of IMEI is relevant, a 2010 question from the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination asked about technologies belonging to the GSM family of wireless technologies. GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) is a widely used digital mobile network. Other technologies part of it include High-Speed Circuit-Switched Data (HSCSD), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), and Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS). DSL or Digital Subscriber Line, a technology used to transmit digital data over telephone lines, is not a wireless technology and hence does not belong to the GSM family. Therefore, the correct answer was option (c).
Last Modified: February 18, 2024