No call possible from mobile handsets without IMEI: Govt

Calls made from the mobile handsets without International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number are being rejected by the cellular operators from this week, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.     

Communication Minister A Raja told Prakash Javadekar (BJP) in a written reply that the directions have been issued to all cellular mobile telephone services (CMTS) and Unified Access Services licensees to make provisions for equipment identification register in their network.     

The Minister said this would enable networks to reject calls without IMEI or ensure that numbers with all "zeros" are not processed after June 30 this year.     

Raja also said that the government has prohibited the import of mobile handsets without the IMEI number or with all 'zeros' IMEI with immediate effect.     

The member had raised the query contending that such mobile handsets posed a serious threat to the country's security as terrorists are mostly found using such phones to escape identification.