IMEI dilemma may victimize millions

NEW DELHI, INDIA: More than 20 millions mobile phones were estimated by industry experts to have fallen silent after November 2009 as they did not have genuine IMEI number.

During an investigation done by CIOL on the issue of invalid IMEI number working on some network some telecom companies pointed out that there is no single and clear way to define and identify genuine IMEI number. 

As pointed out in an earlier published report of CIOL, this correspondent checked a sample IMEI number 350077108255310 with 56263 which is being flashed on Mobile Standard Alliance of India (MSAI) website to check IMEI number and learnt that the mentioned IMEI number is not a genuine IMEI number.

On the other hand, Idea Cellular whose network supported the mentioned handset found this IMEI number to be genuine.

“At Idea we have implemented the IMEI blocking facility across all networks and I am happy to note that in your case the system worked correctly.  In fact, on investigation, it was found that the IMEI number is a valid TAC code as per the list received from MSAI on March 13,” said Rajat Mukarji, chief corporate affairs officer, Idea Cellular in his response on the issue.

Even Reliance Communication echoed almost the same as Rajat did.

“We are in full compliance with all applicable guidelines. As a process, our database is continuously updated with the latest White lists released by GSM Association. The specific IMEI TAC appears in the white lists of both GSMA and MSAI, thereby authorised to be used for making or receiving calls on our network,” mentioned spokesperson from Reliance Communication on the issue.

However, things were different at Airtel and Vodafone, operators whose service did not worked on the mentioned mobile phone.

CIOL correspondent on direction from Airtel customer care executive SMSed first eight digit of IMEI to 121 and got the message back that “This is not a valid IMEI number. Please change your handset.”

Vodafone also mentioned the same thing.

“As per our conversation today we would like to inform you that IMEI number 350077108255310 is not a valid IMEI. We would request you to kindly contact your handset vendor for further assistance,” conveyed Shweta Mehta from nodal office of Vodafone in Delhi to CIOL. 

If Vodafone and Airtel are to be believed, the mentioned IMEI number is not white list. On considering the explanation given by Reliance Communication and Idea Cellular where they have cited latest list of MSAI, the mentioned IMEI number had been moved to white list.

MSAI, the reporting body for IMEI numbers in India, which can clear the confusion that exist in the country, has not yet responded to the questions sent by CIOL.

Whosoever may is responsible for the confusion over IMEI, victim had been poor mobile subscribers who could hardly manage to buy cheap handsets. Companies like Intex alone had reportedly sold close to one million of such handsets. In communication with CIOL through e-mail , Intex has not denied the mentioned estimate.

Most of these handsets, as per the authorities and head honchos in telecom industry, did not have genuine IMEI number and services on these handsets were barred.

Close to three months from 30th November, still industry is confused over the term “Genuine IMEI”.