In order to overcome the problems of counterfeit devices and their repercussions, the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) is devising a system called Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS). In this regard, the authority has issued a consultation paper highlighting the importance of a proposed system and asked all stakeholders to submit their feedback on setting of DIRBS by the 18th of July.
PTA is in the process of DIRBS that will operate as a Centralized Equipment Identity Register to achieve key objectives derived from the Telecom Policy. For example, terminal equipment with SIM functionality must have a valid and unique International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) or equivalent identifier. All parties wishing to import SIM based devices commercially into the territory of Pakistan must have a valid GSMA Type Access Code (TAC) for the model being configured and use IMEI values containing that TAC. Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) will disallow registration of new terminal equipment with unauthenticated DIRBS IMEI/invalid identifiers on their networks. PTA said end users and retailers should verify IMEI validity, and terminal equipment imported into the country must be type approved by PTA. According to the consultation paper, the system will use IMEI of device along with other parameters and help in identifying, monitoring and regulating such devices. DIRBS will have capability to help identify counterfeit and illegally imported mobile devices that avoid collection of tax revenues, contribute towards security issues, and impact users at both ends and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Pakistan.
PTA within the framework will introduce a mechanism that will allow for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and operators to report to PTA any business identified as a source of stolen devices. MNOs will report to PTA any devices latched on to their network and reported as stolen. MNOs will block stolen terminal equipment once reported. DIRBS will enable identification and blocking of these illegal devices in the market MNOs/OEMs and Consumers. It shall facilitate importers of legitimate devices to continue to continue going about their work through legal import channels. Illegal/invalid devices include: Counterfeit devices (replicas of official OEMs’ original devices), illegally imported devices (import tax not paid), devices with invalid IMEIs (IMEIs not assigned by GSMA), devices with duplicate IMEIs (multiple devices with same IMEI), devices reported as stolen/lost (reported locally in Pakistan and globally to GSMA) and DIRBS will enhance Government of Pakistan’s revenue by allowing devices imported through proper channel, PTA said.
DIRBS will not only monitor devices being brought into the country in the future, but will also check the installed base of devices currently active or being sold in the channel. Devices identified as illegal/invalid will be mapped to notifications or blacklisted, as per classification rules to be defined by PTA explain in the later sections, it added. PTA seeks the input of all stakeholders, especially MNOs, OEM, distributors and above all, consumers on how to improve and make DIRBS and its process simpler, easier, smoother and in line with the aspiration of Pakistan’s consumers.
