According to the Economic Times, there are currently 25 million users in India with cheap non-branded Chinese cellphones most of which do not sport IMEI numbers or have fictitious ones. The telecos argue that most of the users with these handsets would not be able to afford new ones. However, the DoT is currently sticking by its guns with intent of keeping terror activities and other security risks in check with the help of IMEI numbers.
India's Department of Telecom Gets Tough on IMEI Issue
15.01.2009
Keeping in mind that the January 6 deadline for telecos to bar cellphones with no IMEI numbers or invalid ones has expired, the Government of India's Department of Telecom has extended the deadline to April 15. Apparently, the previous deadline was ignored by the telecom companies and the DoT has now declared that any telecom operator that does not adhere to the new deadline will not be allowed to take on any new subscribers after the deadline's expiry. Currently, the telecos which have not responded to the DoT's directive will have to pay a daily fine till the new deadline.