www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Mobile handsets that don’t carry a unique 15-digit IMEI code will no longer run on any mobile operator’s network. DoT India is of the belief that such handsets are mostly manufactured in China and pose a serious threat in terms of security, as without an IMEI code, authorities are unable to identify which mobile handset was used to place calls over GSM networks.
DoT had earlier asked the mobile operators to discontinue the service of such mobile handsets by 31 March’09, and later was the deadline was extended to 13 April. The mobile operators have also been sending SMS alerts to subscribers creating awareness among them about the new directive and advising them to take necessary measures in order to stay connected.
This decision taken by DoT is likely to affect nearly 25 million handsets across the nation.