From Monday, mobile phones without IMEI will stop ringing

New Delhi: Millions of mobile phones without unique identification numbers will stop ringing from Monday, as the deadline by the government to operatros to block calls to such devices on security concerns is expiring on November 30.

The 15-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number helps security agencies trace calls made from and received on handsets.

The number, which represents the manufacturer's name, and type of the phone is automatically registered with the mobile service provider as soon as the phone is activated.

In the wake of increased threat perception from terrorists, the Department of Telecom had asked operators not to allow calls to be completed on handsets without the IMEI number after November 30.

As per the earlier estimates, over 25 million handsets are in circulation without IMEI numbers.

After the government's directive, GSM mobile operators lobby Cellular Operators Association of India was installing identity number on devices without this number.

However, a large number of users are yet to avail the number, operators feel the deadline should be extended.

A cellular operator, who does not wished to be identified said, "Why are subscribers being penalised? They had purchased handsets from markets without knowing any such clause."