ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has launched a mechanism to counter the spread of substandard phones being smuggled into the country.

These are devices that are not registered with the Global System for Mobile Association (GSMA) and may be mass-produced by manufactures who do not comply with international standards of production — resulting in the infiltration of the market by counterfeit, possibly hazardous, mobile phones.

Developed by experts in the PTA over the past few years — using indigenous yet state-of-the-art technology — the Device Identification Registra­tion and Blocking System (DIRBS) has two operational phases.

Number of broadband users in Pakistan crosses 50 million mark

The first phase will allow the PTA 30 to 45 days to initiate an awareness campaign across the market explaining how the new system is designed to work. In the second phase, all non-compliant devices will be blocked.

“Simply put, if your mobile phone’s unique identification number does not match with the PTA database — that is updated regularly by the GSMA — it will be blocked,” said PTA Chairman Muhammad Naveed at the launching ceremony.

The GSMA is an industry trade body that represents interests of mobile network operators worldwide. Headquartered in London, the body maintains a large database called the International Mobile Equipment Identity Database (IMEI DB) — which catalogues the serial numbers (IMEI) of millions of electronic devices worldwide. The unique 15-digit number enables the mobile industry to deter theft, and keep a check on counterfeit devices.

The participants at the launch ceremony for the DIRBS were informed that consumers who had already purchased handsets abroad would have to register them in Pakistan by logging on to the PTA’s DIRBS website. The consumer will then be able to operate the handset after filling in basic details such as his/her CNIC number, the IMEI of the handsets and the name of the country where they purchased them.

With the DIRBS now operational, mobile phone users can text IMEI numbers to the PTA’s short message service (SMS) at 8484 to make sure handsets comply with PTA regulations. This new service will be particularly helpful for consumers when purchasing new phones — immediately double-checking if the device in question is counterfeit or is a stolen product.

All compliant and non-complaint mobile devices prior to the launch of the DIRBS, however, are exempt.

In his presentation at the launch, PTA member (enforcement) Abdul Samad said the new system ensured that international standards were maintained.

“Counterfeit and substandard handsets are a health hazard and they also affect the quality of services. Consumers will now be able to purchase handsets manufactured following international practices using quality materials and will not have to worry about hazards such as batteries exploding in their pockets,” he said.

Mr Samad explained that the new system would also bring an end to the sale of smuggled phones in the market that caused millions of dollars in losses to the government. It would also pave the way for fair competition and improve pricing mechanism by discouraging unlawful businesses.

“Imports of illegal phones in the market cause roughly $1.5 billion in revenue losses to the government,” he said.

The PTA also celebrated the fact that the number of broadband users in Pakistan has crossed the 50 million mark. Muhammad Naveed said that there were now more than 55m broadband users today compared to less than two million in 2013-14 who had limited access to both costly and slow internet services.

“Today, mobile operators have increased coverage to over 65 per cent of the population,” said Mr Naveed.

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2018