| The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is a | | | | digit of the entire model or 0. |
| unique number present in every Global System for | | | | Theft - No more a profitable business |
| Mobile Communications (GSM) and Universal Mobile | | | | When any mobile device with the unique number is |
| Telecommunications System (UMTS) mobile phones. | | | | stolen or lost, the operator can track or block the |
| The British Approvals Board of Telecommunications | | | | device as per the user request. The local operator can |
| (BABT) provides the IMEI number the phone | | | | add the IMEI number into an Equipment Identity |
| manufacturers. The service provider can track the | | | | Register (EIR), which will also communicate the same |
| mobile device by using the IMEI number. | | | | to the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR). |
| It can also identify the location, incoming calls and | | | | The CEIR blacklists the device and the device will |
| contacts. | | | | become unusable on any operator. This helps the |
| What is your IMEI Number? | | | | individuals to prevent the mobile being used for any |
| The IMEI number is located beneath the handset | | | | illegal purpose. |
| battery. You can use one of the following steps to | | | | Which of the mobile devices does not support unique |
| identify the number in your device: | | | | number? |
| Dial the sequence *#06# in a Nokia model. | | | | Cheap mobile phones manufactured in China do not |
| Press right,*, left, left,*, left, *, left in a Sony Ericsson | | | | have an unique number. If the device lacks IMEI |
| model. | | | | number, the operator will still route the call for these |
| Use the about icon in an Iphone or Connect to ITunes | | | | types of phones. But, this can lead to a national |
| to identify the unique number. | | | | security concern for any country since it cannot |
| Use the sequence # * menu right arrow for a | | | | identify the device from which the call is being initiated. |
| Motorola model. | | | | Government can enforce a rule to ban these mobile |
| It is a 15 digit unique number that denotes the orgin, | | | | devices without unique numbers at any time. |
| model, and serial number of the device. | | | | What is the solution to the cheap Chinese phones in |
| The structure of the number format is | | | | the market? |
| AA-BBBBBB-CCCCCC-D: | | | | China's Telecommunication Terminal Testing & |
| - AA: Refer to the Reporting Body Identifier. This | | | | Approval Forum has regulated a law to provide |
| belongs to an approved group that allocated the Type | | | | international mobile equipment identity numbers to |
| Allocation Code (TAC) | | | | Chinese TD-SCDMA and GSM mobile phones. In the |
| - BBBBBB: Denotes the remainder of the TAC | | | | meanwhile, you get these Chinese mobile phones |
| - CCCCCC: Manufacturer defines this sequence of | | | | updated with the IMEI number using the available |
| the numbers for the Model. | | | | software in the market. |
| - D: This indicates the number derived by Luhn check | | | | |