Now if you lose your mobile phone, you need not worry as the government will come to your rescue. Yes, you read it right!
Since 2017, the department of telecommunication has been working on the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) a database of International Mobile Equipment Identity, the 15 digits unique number that identifies mobile devices. India has over a billion wireless subscribers.
Telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad will launch the web portal to report the lost phones in Maharashtra on Friday. A pilot project for the same will begin in the state.
How it will work
If your mobile phone is stolen or lost, you will have to file an FIR and inform the department of telecom (DoT) via helpline number 14422. After the police complaint, the DoT will blacklist the IMEI number which would result in the handset being blocked from accessing any mobile network in the future.
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From the same IMEI number, the cellular operator will also be able to block the phone from accessing the network.
The CEIR will also have access to GSMA’s global IMEI database, allowing comparison of IMEI numbers to identify counterfeit handsets. GSMA is a global body which represents cellular operators, gear makers, software and internet companies, among other entities in the telecom ecosystem. This would ensure international cooperation in matters of handset theft.
Further details will come in the evening after the launch of the portal.
