The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) today issued para-wise clarifications on various points raised by stakeholders regarding prevention of tampering of the Mobile Device Equipment Identification Number (Amendment) Rules 2022.
The development work for updating the Indian Counterfeited Device Restriction (ICDR) portal is in progress to cater to the locally manufactured mobile phone IMEI registration requirement. The industry suggestions will be implemented in the updated ICDR portal before making the updated portal live.
The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) manual is also under preparation and will be shared with the industry. The industry suggestions will be incorporated into the SOP manual appropriately. The manufacturers will have to register the international mobile equipment identity number of every mobile phone manufactured in India for sale and export.
The inbuilt redundancy, capability, and robustness to ensure 24X7 operations, 365 days a year of the ICDR system, will be ensured by DoT. The detail of officers collaborating on any concern will be published on the ICDR portal. The industry will have to generate the IMEI certificates for locally manufactured IMEI registration and keep the same for records. The IMEI certificates, however, don’t need to be submitted to the Government as of now. It may be required to be produced during the inspection.
Clause 6.7 of the SOP v1.1 dated 4th July 2022 applies to the individuals’ mobile handsets carried/imported. The provisions for registration by the brand owners, manufacturers, and third parties duly authorised by brand owners will be available on the ICDR portal.
GSMA IMEI allocation and approval process provides the allocation of test IMEI to test prototype mobile equipment (ME) on networks before placing the equipment on the market. Test IMEIs are allocated as an 8-digit TAC code per manufacturer and uniquely identify the manufacturer. The reporting bodies authorised by GSMA may allocate Test IMEI. The TAC for such prototype ME starts with 00, followed by reporting body identifier, manufacturer code etc.
The ICDR system has the facility for registration and generation of IMEI certificates for test/prototype mobile devices. There is no requirement for IMEI certificate exemption for mobile phones imported for Testing or Research and Development (R&D) purposes.
The clarifications provided by DoT on various points of the prevention of tampering of the Mobile Device Equipment Identification Number (Amendment) Rules, 2022 shall come into force with effect from January 1, 2023.
