savramesh 37 Report post Posted April 26, 2009 Times of India 26 Apr 2009, 0430 hrs IST Ahmedabad : Imagine a scenario where a group of Anti-Terrorist-Squad (ATS) members of the state police come knocking at your door for using a cell phone! You will only have your touch screen Chinese O-phone' to blame for this. It is then that you realise that your distinct phone identification number the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) which the police use to track criminals, is the same as some 1,000 Chinese phones already in use one of which a terrorist might be using. Worse, most of these Chinese phones do not have IMEI or have just 15-digit IMEI numbers instead of 16 digits. This is the case for both GSM and CDMA phones that are readily avaliable in the grey market. The Department of Telecom (DoT) had issued directions to all mobile service providers, in the interest of national security, that by April 15, 2009 they should incorporate the Equipment Identity Register (EIR) software to automatically block services to customers who use handsets without IMEI numbers or have number as 00000...'. But except for BSNL in Gujarat, other mobile phone service providers are still in the process of implementing the system. Once implemented, the EIR does not allow you to make a call from a Chinese cell phone or to a Chinese phone with questionable IMEI number. "The EIR cannot block calls to or from phones with similar IMEI numbers as for that all service providers should share their IMEI database. But what was more dangerous were phones with no IMEI numbers there were thousands of GSM phones with such discrepancy and most of them were prepaid customers, whose identification documents were also questionable," said a senior Gujarat circle officer of BSNL. "There are few software companies that make EIR and they charge a fortune. Besides, most of the low end prepaid scheme users use Chinese phones, which may again translate to some revenue loss for service providers," he added. Senior telecom officers pointed out that IMEI numbers are only alloted to mobile phone manufacturing companies by British Approvals Board for Telecommunications (BABT). "Chinese phones, especially the non-branded ones, copy a single IMEI number on to at least 1,000 phones. These IMEI serial numbers may belong to a branded handset. We have had cases like these in Mumbai and Hyderabad circles," added the BSNL officer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asit 4 Report post Posted April 27, 2009 Guess : More than 7000 phones are already barred by VODAFONE in Orissa till 25th. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mufaddal 678 Report post Posted April 27, 2009 well just to add to this in reality imei is not used to trace anyone ...its the IMSI which can trace a user imei just identifies handset ...imsi identifies user thats coz imei is handset specific and imsi is carrier soecific . so even if imei is cloned u will have multiple imsi of whoever is using that imei ..... imei can be used for blacklisting abd barring purposes .. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KumaarShah 143 Report post Posted April 27, 2009 ^^^ Doc, does the above mean that the GoI is unnecessarily barring subscribers who use chinese/korean handsets? And if imei can be cloned, imsi cannot be cloned? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mufaddal 678 Report post Posted April 27, 2009 (edited) ^^^ in todays world anything can be cloned in gsm imsi can be cloned if u can clone sim cards which is difficult thing to do see the rule is if two numbers with same imei connect to a network then the network should barr both of them .. secondly many of these chinese handsets have cloned imei btw india is a huge huge market for these chinese handsets ...also u will be suprised to know that many people change imei on several phones for example iphone /blackberry and use it here without any problems or getting barred Edited April 27, 2009 by mufaddal_km Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACS 130 Report post Posted April 27, 2009 ...also u will be suprised to know that many people change imei on several phones for example iphone /blackberry and use it here without any problems or getting barred You mean to say, all cracked imported phones fall in this category ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mufaddal 678 Report post Posted April 27, 2009 You mean to say, all cracked imported phones fall in this category ? i never said that plz dont read between the lines i m talking here abt gsm handsets and abt imei ..not abt imprted phones which we use here on cdma networks . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KumaarShah 143 Report post Posted April 28, 2009 Thanks doc mufaddal_km for the clarification..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
savramesh 37 Report post Posted May 5, 2009 DoT clears plan to plant IMEI number through software Sify Business 2009-05-05 09:30:01 New Delhi: The 20 million mobile users in the country owning handsets without IMEI number can breathe easy. The Department of Telecom has cleared a proposal from the cellular industry to carry out a project whereby the IMEI number will be transplanted on the handsets through a software. Start service or give back spectrum, new mobile players told The Cellular Operators Association of India has tied up with Mobile Standard Alliance of India (MSAI) to set up 1,600 retail outlets across the country to provide international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) number on handsets without it. IMEI is a unique 15-digit code that identifies a mobile. It prevents the use of stolen handsets for making calls and allows security agencies to track down a specific user. However, a number of handsets sold in the grey market do not come with the IMEI, which is of concern to security agencies. Concerned over national security, DoT had asked operators to disconnect services to handsets that do not have IMEI number. However, the COAI, representing the GSM industry, has developed software that will provide the unique number to those who don't have it. This is a time-bound programme and it envisages opening of the centres across the entire country in a phased manner to carry out the implantation of genuine IMEI numbers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
me_saket 73 Report post Posted May 5, 2009 how much they are charging for applying IMEI to handset? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kshah 452 Report post Posted May 6, 2009 Yet another scandal of gsm lobby, this time government will be one of the party as they gave permissions for the same. On first hand they allow all sort of illegal handsets on network, then legalize it. Means if on rimweb.in we change esn, it should be legal!?????????? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mufaddal 678 Report post Posted May 6, 2009 Means if on rimweb.in we change esn, it should be legal!?????????? why not ....we are fiddling with our own esn and not misusing some else's esn .... btw i dont know why is there so much fuss about this imei and chinese handsets ... the reality is imei can be changed on most branded handsets as well ...... no matter what ever they do chinese handset market has very stronghold in india ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kshah 452 Report post Posted May 6, 2009 ^^^ Not only in India, even in US. Go to ebay.com and see how many chinese phones are sold there. Fuss about IMEI is justified, provided there is indeed fear of regulations. Globally IMEI and ESN are changed. Some places its done in secrecy, some places its done openly. In country like India, people like us talk about legality. Go to a person having repair shop, might not even know that changing IMEI is illegal. Implementation of law should be fair and equal, that is the key to all problems. Because GSM guys do not want to loose customers, they can pursue government to allow IMEI change, the same should apply to CDMA. What if we go to operator with no ESN and ask them to activate? Will they write ESN for us on handset? No, they will not. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Honest 836 Report post Posted May 6, 2009 how much they are charging for applying IMEI to handset? It will be Rs.100/- for each IMEI number change. The subscriber have to carry the handset to the Company's Authorised Galleries and their they install a new software in the subscribers handset and then the IMEI number of the handset will be changed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACS 130 Report post Posted May 7, 2009 ^^^^ So then.. Chinese zindabad ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KumaarShah 143 Report post Posted May 8, 2009 ^^^ From the looks of it, it appears Jai Ho!!!! or should it be Chai Ho!!!! BTW, ET says a subscriber will have to shell out 180 bucks for getting the chinese handset validated. Not a big sum to pay considering the cost advantage, no comments on quality etc.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
savramesh 37 Report post Posted June 11, 2009 Ban on cheap Chinese mobile imports not sought yet Times of India 11 Jun 2009, 0327 hrs IST, Sanjay Dutta, TNN NEW DELHI: The home and telecom ministries have been discussing the security threat being posed by unbridled import of unbranded Chinese mobile phones without identification numbers and trying to stop their use for almost a year now but neither they nor the industry have made a formal request to the commerce ministry to ban import of these cheap phones. An estimated 8 lakh phones come into the country every month as their imports have yet to be banned. Top government sources said the commerce ministry could not ban their import unless a pertinent ministry or the industry body made a formal request. Some officials are hoping that since commerce secretary G K Pillai is aware of the situation, this is one of the first things he will do once he takes over as home secretary in July. The unbranded Chinese phones, much cheaper than branded varieties, shot into limelight after security agencies said they were being used by terrorists to set off bombs. Admittedly not all such phones are used for nefarious activities, these come in handy for criminals and terrorists as these cannot be traced in the absence of International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. Around 30 million, or 8%, of existing phones are unbranded Chinese products. Once the issue was flagged, telecom department asked service providers to disconnect these phones. They companies assured of acquiring the necessary equipment to track these phones by April 15 and discontinue their services thereafter — a process that was expected to be completed by April 30. All GSM phones are required to have the IMEI number. Each number is unique and helps a signal tower identify an individual handset in a service network. This helps security agencies pinpoint the location or track movement of a handset — and its user — if needed. This also helps track the shop or dealer that sold a particular handset. But since the unbranded Chinese phones either do not have — or have cloned — this number, they cannot be tracked or their sales cannot be tracked. In many cases, more than 1,000 Chinese handsets have been known to have shared the same IMEI number. Legal IMEI are 15-17 digits long and are unique in nature. This also means that no two cellphones should have the same IMEI. Chinese phones don't carry 16-digit IMEI numbers. At cell towers these phones show up as a string of zeros, or give out cloned IMEI numbers. That's why they pose a security risk. The combination of IMEI numbers, or many phones with the same IMEI number, happens because the number is cloned in lots of a hundred, 1,000 or 5,000 phones by makers of unbranded Chinese mobile phones. If one travels abroad, the foreign service provider knows that you are a visitor and from where you are originally. Service providers have many mobile phone towers. During calls, the phone connects to the nearest tower. Even when not in use, the phone keeps contact with the nearest tower. By using signals from at least three of the nearest towers, it's possible to locate a mobile phone accurately. The method, called triangulation, can be used by security agencies to track down any offender using mobile phone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KanagaDeepan 1,084 Report post Posted June 22, 2009 By giving IMEI to IMEI-less phones, we can guess that, Government is NOT even now want to stop the import of chinese phones here in India... These people are responsible for our security.... Only GOD can help we Indians... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
savramesh 37 Report post Posted June 23, 2009 ^^^ giving IMEI number is only for existing china handsets without IMEI number.. Read below.. no more china mobiles, its banned.. http://www.rimweb.in/..../index.php?showtopic=19932 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
savramesh 37 Report post Posted September 16, 2009 (edited) Phones with No or Fake IMEI Code to Die Source If you're still using that Chinese phone sans an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number - or worse, a fake IMEI code - expect your phone to become a brick Dec. 1 onwards. After sufficient time given by the government to telecom service providers to get subscribers to legalize their handsets by acquiring a genuine IMEI number, it's time for headcounts and headshots. The Department of Telecom (DoT) has instructed Indian telecom operators to disconnect connections of handsets with fake or no IMEI numbers. To check whether your phone has an IMEI number: 1. Dial *#06# A 15-digit number will be displayed on your handset. 2. To validate the IMEI, sms IMEI <15 digit IMEI number> to 53232 (Rs. 3 per SMS) For eg; IMEI 351869910223340 to 53232 Message displayed for correct IMEI - Success!! Message displayed for incorrect IMEI - Alert!!! Invalid IMEI 3. In case of an invalid IMEI, you can either buy a handset with a genuine IMEI number or can follow the below mentioned instructions: Visit only authorized GII (Genuine IMEI Implant) centers, set up on Government approved process, which can implant new genuine IMEI on the handset. Pay a nominal charge of Rs. 199 (all inclusive) and obtain a receipt. Carry your handset with a valid identity proof for identification purposes while visiting these centers. The DoT has asked operators to submit their compliance report by Dec. 15. Edited September 16, 2009 by savramesh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KanagaDeepan 1,084 Report post Posted September 17, 2009 Phones with No or Fake IMEI Code to DieSource If you're still using that Chinese phone sans an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number - or worse, a fake IMEI code - expect your phone to become a brick Dec. 1 onwards. Ramesh... CHINESE phones are still imported (may be illegally, BUT that BLOODY thing cannot be stopped or Govt not in a mood to STOP).... BAN on chinese phones are like 3G, MNP, HighEnd NokiaCDMA phone, etc.... VARUUMM .. AANAAA VARAATHUUUU ... Will Come,,, But WONT COME... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
savramesh 37 Report post Posted September 18, 2009 Grey market CDMA mobiles too face disconnection Source 2-3 million users may be hit but impact less compared with GSM users. Stepping up security The ban on GSM handsets without ID number from Dec 1 CDMA handsets were not included in the earlier order Import ban on CDMA sets to be issued by DGFT New Delhi, Sept. 17 After banning illegal GSM handsets, the Government is now moving to bar services to all CDMA mobile phone users without the unique identity number. However, unlike GSM subscribers who have the option of getting the identity number implanted through a software by November 30, CDMA subscribers may not get any such relaxation. The move is expected to hit about 2-3 million CDMA subscribers who have bought handsets from the grey market. The Government move follows representation from the Japanese handset manufacturer Kyocera Wireless, which informed the Directorate-General of Foreign Trade that legal CDMA handsets have Mobile Equipment Identifier (MEID) as a unique number, similar to the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) in a GSM handset. The Japanese vendor pointed out that the Government directive to ban illegal handsets without IMEI number did not cover grey CDMA devices and, therefore, there was a need to amend the order to include MEID also in the ban order. The DGFT had sought the views of the Department of Telecom on the issue. Senior officials of the Department of Telecom said that a letter is being sent to the DGFT supporting the ban. Numeric codes IMEI and MEID are numeric codes that identify a mobile instrument. They prevent the use of stolen handsets and help security agencies track down users. However, a number of handsets sold in the grey market do not come with the identity code. Most of these handsets come from China and Taiwan. The DoT had earlier issued a directive asking GSM mobile operators to stop providing services to users whose handsets do not have the IMEI code. The order comes into effect on December 1. The ban on importing illegal CDMA handsets will be notified by the DGFT once it receives DoT’s views. However, the impact on CDMA subscribers will be less compared with GSM users because until two years ago all CDMA handsets were being sold through the operators making it impossible for grey market players to sell any device. “CDMA operators started allowing SIM-based handsets, which can be bought off the shelf, just two years ago. So the impact is only to that extent compared with the GSM segment where grey market handsets have been in use over the past 10 years,” said a CDMA player. Also, there are only three CDMA-based operators compared with over six GSM players. The move is part of the Government’s plans to address security related concerns in the telecom sector. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ravi_patent 28 Report post Posted September 18, 2009 ^ interesting that kyocera is concerned .probably they want incraese their cdma handset sale Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
