Chinese Mobiles, Fake IMEI Numbers, Genuine IMEI Implantation

[pareshwins]

Hi,

Many Chinese Mobile phones have fake IMEI number and as per directive of DOT, these will stop working after Nov. 30th.

Refer:

>http://www.dot.gov.in/as/2008/Requirements%20for%20Natilonal%20Security_10.10.08.pdf


So the BAD NEWS is many chinese phones will stop working after Nov.30.

However the good news is that GSM Association (GSMA) have found a way around the fake IMEI number problem. Users can get a genuine IMEI number implanted on their Chinese mobile phone including the i9 phone for a low fee of Rs.199/-

For more information on IMEI number implantation, please visit the following link:

http://www.msai.in/gii.html

You can get a list of GII (Genuine IMEI Implant)center click here:

http://www.msai.in/listofcentre.php

Paresh

[mobilesstores]

Paresh Bhai,

Good information however the letter is of 2008. All chinese mobiles entering India now have valid imei. If they can work in countries which have more stringent norms like US and UK with compliance India is far behind in terms of catching up.

Getting an imei is no big deal. Cost hardly a couple of hundreds. Chinese are very smart they wont let business slip for such a small amount.

Mobilesstores

[pareshwins]

Mobilestores,

Good of you to join the discussion.

Please refer:

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2009/09/12/stories/2009091251980100.htm

http://www.domain-b.com/industry/telecom/20090916_mobile_handsets.html>

http://www.domain-b.com/i...

You will be surprised to that there are many mobiles especially the i9 phones which still are imported even today without valid imei number.

Try checking the IMEI number of your i9 phones by the method mentioned on the site :

To validate the IMEI, sms IMEI <15 digit IMEI number> to 53232 (Rs. 3 per SMS)
For eg; IMEI 351869910223340 to 53232

* Message displayed for correct IMEI - Success!!
* Message displayed for incorrect IMEI - Alert!!! Invalid IMEI


You will be in for a surprise.

Getting an IMEI number implanted by GII is simple and costs only Rs.199/-

However getting a IMEI number block allocation for a manufacturer is not a simple process.

This may prove interesting reading for you:

GSM Manufacturers

Manufacturers must register with the GSM Association before applying for an IMEI allocation. The on-line registration form requests detailed information be provided about the manufacturer. An IMEI allocation will not be provided unless all mandatory fields (*) in the on-line form are completed to support the application.

Only Manufacturers or their authorized representative, covered under the following definition, are eligible to obtain IMEI block allocations. A letter of authorization for such representatives should be provided to MSAI prior to the application.

Manufacturer: A manufacturer is defined as the legal entity that is responsible for designing and/or manufacturing a mobile terminal complying with the standards of GSM or IMT2000 with a view to placing it on the market on his own behalf. The manufacturer has an obligation to ensure that the product intended to be placed on the market is designed and manufactured, and its conformity assessed, to comply with the provisions of the applicable regulations. The manufacturer must retain the overall control of the production of the device and maintain the necessary level of competence to take the responsibility for placing the product on the market regardless of the extent to which aspects of the manufacturing process have been undertaken by third parties.

Most Chinese factories manufacturing the i9 phones are least bothered about getting IMEI number allocation as the biggest market the US and Europe does not require it.

The US regulation for IMEI number is not in place. I belive in the US you can buy a disposable mobile phone without any POI and POA. Do not make assumptions. I have personally bought a mobile phone sim card in Hong Kong and China without giving any identification papers.

I think the only country currently which does not allow mobiles phones on their networks without valid IMEI numbers is currently Brazil and India will soon be the next.

Most Chinese mobiles of brands such as Sigmatel, Alfatel, BLepone, G'Five do have genuine IMEI numbers but unbranded and copy phones like the i9, the situation is very dicey.

I have checked IMEI numbers of many i9 on the international numbering plans website and could not get the name of the manufacturer or model number for it, except the Sciphone i68+ which shows up as the CECT i68+

When I post such messages on the board, it is after a lot of study and research and yes I have indeed visited some factories which manufacture these so called i9 phones.

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Pareshwins

[pareshwins]

Hi,

Just saw this site where you can order a US sim card online and get it delivered to your hotel when you reach the USA and start using it immediately.

http://www.usasims.com/

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Pareshwins

[mobilesstores]

If you check numbering plans website they say that imei is correct however they dont have information about the company because the models are as new as 2 weeks old. It takes time for numbering plans to update its database.

However if numbering plans say that the imei is incorrect then it is a cause of concern.

Imei generation is by a formula and it is easy to detect by the formula that imei is invalid.

I dont want to comment on your knowledge or research which i see that you have done however i am putting my point of view here. I have been researching on imei for last 2 years now.

I will surely like to inform you that you cannot purchase mobile in US without POI and POA. If in case you can the handset is sure to have genuine imei.

[pareshwins]

Dear,

Just do this check and report your result here:

To validate the IMEI, sms IMEI <15 digit IMEI number> to 53232 (Rs. 3 per SMS)
For eg; IMEI 351869910223340 to 53232

* Message displayed for correct IMEI - Success!!
* Message displayed for incorrect IMEI - Alert!!! Invalid IMEI

I do no have i9 phone right now with me but will surely report you my results tomorrow.

All the international numbering plans website says it cannot ascertain if the number is genuine, it only says that it seems to be genuine as the numbering plans seems to be correct.

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Pareshwins

[mobilesstores]

See thats what i am telling you... IMEI is ascertain genuine if imei is right and based on the imei generation formula.

Since the database is not updated quickly hence it doesnt have information. Simple as that Sir.......

Thanks,
Mobilesstores

[pareshwins]

Hi,

I just checked one IMEI number of the i9 phone I have by sending sms to 53232

and the message I got was Alert Invalid IMEI Number:

356296109951727

Mobilestores, please check the imei numbers of the mobile phone in your stock and give update here with the IMEI number.

International Numbering Plans is a private website and not very reliable. MSAI is a trade body approved by all GSM operators in India.

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Paresh

[mobilesstores]

International Numbering Plans is specialised in providing information and database products mainly about ITU recommendations E.123, E.129, E.162, E.164, E.212, and Q.708. International Numbering Plans primarily provides on-line search and analysis tools, as well as database downloads related to information about worldwide number range assignments for phone numbers, mobile networks, mobile phones, and international networks.

Our customers range from major Fortune-500 companies to small start-up companies, but also government and law enformencies agencies around the world. Some of them are AT&T, Time Warner, Morgan Stanley, Orange, O2, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, the US Department of Justice, and many other industry leaders. We also maintain good relations with many telecom regulators, operators, and experts from all over the world to keep our databases and on-line services accurate and up-to-date.

[rajelectroniks]

Good work pareshbhai...Well done...very good piece of information.

************************ Regards.
Raj Electronics.