Return to sender, lost cell code's registered

NEW DELHI: Lost your mobile phone recently along with all your contacts? Don’t fret, as cellphone makers in the country on Thursday proposed to set up a central registry of the International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI) numbers of each cellphone sold. Once a mobile is stolen, the IMEI alert will be sounded and all mobile operators will be required to track the missing mobile.

The Indian Cellular Association (ICA) has proposed to the government that the consumer or service provider can submit the IMEI number and other details of the handset under their possession/control via email to the central registry.

ICA has members like Nokia, Motorola, I-mate, Samsung, Bird, Alcatel, Siemens, Sony Ericsson, Elcoteq and UT Starcom as its members. The proposal, however, is still to be considered by the department of telecommunications (DoT).

The 15-digit IMEI number is unique for each mobile phone and can be obtained by typing “*#06#” on a mobile phone. “IMEI tracking and blocking is expected from service providers,” ICA president Pankaj Mohindroo said, adding that its prevalent across the world.

Some European nations have enabled blocking, by having a centralised database with all operators joining hands to fight mobile theft. It’s imperative to note that Trai had come out with a consultation paper two years ago, but no action was taken.