How can a mobile with an IMEI number benefit you?
The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is a unique number present on all Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) mobile phones. The British Board of Approvals for Telecommunications (BABT) provides the IMEI number to phone manufacturers. The service provider can track the mobile device using the IMEI number.
You can also identify location, incoming calls and contacts.
What is your IMEI number?
The IMEI number is located under the phone’s battery. You can use one of the following steps to identify the number on your device:
Dial the sequence *#06# on a Nokia model.
Press right,*, left, left,*, left, *, left on a Sony Ericsson model.
Use the about icon on an iPhone or Connect to iTunes to identify the unique number.
Use the # * right menu arrow sequence for a Motorola model.
It is a unique 15-digit number that indicates the origin, model and serial number of the device.
The number format structure is AA-BBBBBB-CCCCCC-D:
– AA: Refer to the Reporting Body Identifier. This belongs to an approved group that assigned the Type Assignment Code (TAC)
– BBBBBB: Indicates the rest of the TAC
– CCCCCC: The manufacturer defines this sequence of numbers for the Model.
– D: This indicates the number derived by the Luhn check digit of the entire model or 0.
Theft – No longer a profitable business
When any mobile device with the unique number is stolen or lost, the operator can track or lock the device based on the user’s request. The local operator can add the IMEI number in a Equipment Identity
(EIR), which will also communicate the same to the Central Equipment Identity Registry (CEIR).
The CEIR blacklists the device and the device will be unusable by any carrier. This helps people prevent the mobile from being used for illegal purposes.
Which of the mobile devices does not support a single number?
Cheap mobile phones made in China do not have a unique number. If the device does not have an IMEI number, the operator will still route the call for these types of phones. But this can create a national security issue for any country as it cannot identify the device from which the call is initiated.
The government can enforce a rule to ban these mobile devices without unique numbers at any time.
What is the solution to cheap Chinese phones on the market?
The China Telecommunications Terminal Testing and Approval Forum has regulated a law to provide international mobile equipment identity numbers to Chinese TD-SCDMA and GSM mobile phones. Meanwhile, please update these Chinese mobile phones with IMEI number using the software available in the market.
