Handsets without unique IDs go dead

After the government banned the use of handsets without unique identity numbers for security reasons, around 17 to 25 million mobile subscribers owning such phones had services discontinued by operators . The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number is a 15-digit code that appears on the operators’ network whenever a call is made and enables security agencies to trace calls made from or received on such handsets. According to sources, the industry has been lobbying hard for the extension of this ban, which was first announced on 23 November last year. India has the fastest growing mobile market with close to 500 million mobile subscribers. Leading operators Airtel, Vodafone and others confirmed that they have started disconnecting services to phones without unique identity numbers. “We are not disconnecting the SIM cards but disconnecting the phones which are operating without the IMEI number. This means the subscriber can use the same SIM in a legitimate phone”, an Airtel spokesperson said.