TNN
 
Bangalore, Apr 3: China-made mobile handsets that have flooded the grey market are to be phased out within the next 10 days. These handsets are seen as a security threat, prompting the move.

The department of telecommunication has sent a communication to Cellular Operators Association of India asking them to block services to handsets that have 15-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers. It is only the Chinese mobiles that have 15-digit numbers; other handsets come with 16-digit IMEIs.

The problem arises because on service providers’ computers, the Chinese handsets show up as having an endless list of digits as their IMEI numbers.

Due to this, these handsets cannot be traced. Also, it has been found that usually over 1,000 of these handsets share a single IMEI number. This has posed a big problem for the police.

Whenever criminals changed their numbers, or in cases of cellphone thefts, police used to track them through IMEI numbers. Chinese phones make that virtually impossible.

Recently, COAI made a representation to the government explaining the problem. The DoT, which took the issue seriously, directed COAI to stop mobile phone services to persons having Chinese handsets.

Already, some of these customers are receiving SMSs from their operators asking them to change their handsets. Otherwise, service to their mobile would be disconnected.

A source in a mobile service provider said they had received the communication a week ago. “Where we find our customers using China-made handsets, we are calling them up and telling them. In some cases, SMSs are being sent.”