Handsets with cloned IMEI no.: Industry wants ban

Indian Cellular Association has demanded counterfeit mobile handsets with cloned International Mobile Equipment Identity numbers of other genuine handsets be banned in the country.

On September 3, department of telecommunication had directed that all handsets without IMEI numbers be banned with effect from December 1, 2009.

"However, the order does not ban the handsets carrying cloned IMEI numbers, which pose as much potential threat to the nation's security as those without these numbers," ICA chairperson Pankaj Mohindroo told Business Standard.

According to ICA, almost 25 million handsets are currently being used in the Indian market without legitimate IMEI numbers and the bulk of these mobile subscriptions would get disconnected on November 30, 2009. He informed it was a significant practice in the grey markets, where genuine IMEI numbers were copied on many illegal handsets.

"Majority of these counterfeit units are sourced from China, since it has become the main supplier of unbranded mobile handsets after the de-licensing of the industry in that country," he informed.

India sells about 10 million handsets every month and there are around 430 million handsets in use.

"While this growth is good for mobility and has enhanced the quality of communication, there are some serious concerns. Terrorists may have taken cover under illegal and fictitious IMEI mobile phones, which can be used to trigger a series of criminal activities," he maintained.