DoT To Get Tough Against Operators Connecting Illegitimate Handsets (06-Sep-2010)
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is planning to take more strict action against operators which continue to allow some subscribers to use handsets without an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number which is seen as a big concern by security agencies.
The DoT had earlier extended its deadline for the telecom operators to disconnect all the handsets without a valid IMEI several times and that finally ended in December 2009. However, many telecom operators have failed to fully adhere to its directions due to lags in technological upgradation of their networks.
The IMEI number is a 15-digit unique code for each wireless device that can be recorded at service provider’s end. In this way, if the security agencies want to trace any mobile number it can be done through the IMEI number, even if the subscriber changes the sim. However, some of the low quality handsets often do not have unique IMEIs which leave security agencies clueless.
After the home ministry complained the communications ministry in this regard, the DoT asked all the telecom operators to upgrade their networks and record the IMEI in their equipment identity register (EIR). The practice, while being followed by some of the operators, is not universal and even now not all the operators maintain all the records.
One benefit of maintaining EIRs would be that any calls that would not show a unique or valid IMEI number could be barred at the operator’s end. This will ensure that the concerns of security establishments regarding not been able to trace a particular handset will be addressed. However, since some of the telecom operators continue to disregard IMEIs, the DoT is now planning to send legal notices to them.
If the concerned telecom operator fails to give a reasonable answer to the DoT’s notices, which would also include a time frame within which an operator would be ready to follow the instructions on the IMEI issue, the DoT will impose heavy financial fines, or stop the issue of any further spectrum to such an operator. However, the DoT at this point has not revealed the identities of the operators which will be sent such notices.
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