TRAI to seek ban on mobile phones with unauthentic IMEI numbers-Report

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India may soon write to the commerce ministry seeking ban on


Import of mobile phones carrying unauthentic unique IMEI identification number, according to a PTI report.


The International Mobile Equipment Identity or IMEI is a number, usually unique, to identify GSM, WCDMA, and iDEN mobile phones, as well as some satellite phones.

The IMEI number is used by a GSM network to identify valid devices and therefore can be used for stopping a stolen phone from accessing that network. For example, if a mobile phone is stolen, the owner can call his or her network provider and instruct them to "blacklist" the phone using its IMEI number. This renders the phone useless on that network and sometimes other networks too, whether or not the phone's SIM is changed.

"TRAI will soon write to the Commerce Ministry to ban such phones. Import of only those cell phones should be allowed which are certified by GSMA and TIA authorised bodies for GSM and CDMA handsets respectively," an official told PTI.

The report said the move aims checking proliferation of mobile handsets with duplicate or cloned IMEI numbers which are also dangerous for national security.