Now get IMEI number through software

Giving some relief to millions of cheap mobile handset subscribers, the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) has accepted the proposal of Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) – the organisation representing GSM service operators – to provide the 15-digit identity code number.

The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) or the Electronic Serial Number (ESN) is used in GSM and CDMA mobiles to help the authorities to identify the handset used to make call.

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For the security concern, it is essential to provide the IMEI number in GSM handset and ESN number in CDMA handset.

The COAI in the association of Mobile Standard Alliance of India (MSAI) has developed the software that will provide the 15-digit code in all cheap Chinese models. DoT has given its nod to provide IMEI code to all GSM mobile handsets to prevent them from termination.

Earlier Dot has announced to terminate all the mobile phones those have not IMEI or ESN on security concerns. The move of DoT came in the wake of unearthing the fact that terrorists had used such mobile handsets without any IMEI or ESN numbers while performing their evil acts.

But now, the poor mobile subscribers need not worry about the treat to termination as they can get their IMEI number from 1600 COAI centers across the country. For this, customers will have to pay only Rs.180/- for downloading the software.

“We believe that most of these handsets are owned by common men... So, it would be unfair and unjust to disconnect such customers as they have bought these handsets unknowingly,” COAI director general T.V. Ramachandran said.

Initiating this move, the first 10-centres have begun functioning in the national capital and soon more centers are schedule to come up in the phased manner.