News Title : IMEI database inevitable curbing mobile-telephony crimes

News Date : 2015-11-22

-BSS
Alongside the accurate registration of mobile SIM card, database of mobile handset IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number is needed to thwart mobile phone-based crime, opined experts. They said the law enforcing agencies could be able to nab the perpetrator easily when SIM (Subscriber identity module) number would be pinned with the IMEI number from the database. In addition, few opted for introducing local IMEI number so duplication of the number is not possible anyhow. Meanwhile, all the cellular phone operators in the country have started the trial of biometric SIM registration on November 15 as per the directive of telecom regulator. Besides, state minister for posts and telecommunications Tarana Halim announced they are going to start the process of building IMEI database in April next year after completion of biometric SIM registration. Mobile Phone Importers Association (MPIA) president M Ruhul Alam Al Mahbub (Manik) said duplicate and fake handset would flood the market in future if the telecom regulator doesn’t take preventive measure immediately. “Mobile handset market would be sized at Taka 20,000 to 25,000 crore in coming days. So, BTRC should put concentration on it,” he added. Statistics showed on an average nearly 20 lakh handsets and 20,000 pieces of tablet are being imported in the country in every month of which share of Smartphone is 21 percent. Monirul Islam, joint commissioner and spokesperson of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said they are facing trouble during the investigation of mobile phone-base crime for fake SIM registration and IMEI number. “If there is a database of handset IMEI and actual information of SIM card users, we can easily nab the perpetrator,” said Monirul. Talking about local IMEI number, Rezwanul Haque, Secretary of MPIA and Senior Director of Symphony, said many countries, especially India has introduced separate IMEI country code. “We also can introduce such local code to identify the handset and user,” he added. Now the country has over 13 crore mobile phone subscribers and over 8 crore handsets in people’s hand. Commenting on the issue, BTRC Chairman Dr Shahjahan Mahmood said their ultimate goal is to prepare an IMEI database of mobile handset for ensuring security. In addition, a separate division for handing mobile devices would also be opened immediately, he added.

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