Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug. 13
By Huseyn Valiyev - Trend:
Azerbaijan and Turkey are ready to join forces in the fight against illegal import of mobile phones, the Data Processing Center (DPC) of Azerbaijani Communications and High Technologies Ministry told Trend on Aug. 13.
DPC said that here the matter rests on integration of IMEI-code registration systems of the two countries.
This can have a positive impact on the reduction of illegal imports and elimination of mobile phone theft cases.
This initiative was first taken by the ministry during the 9th International Electronic Communications Regulators Conference, held on May 29-30 in Istanbul.
"At present, Azerbaijan and Turkey are discussing the technical aspects of the project's realization. The project has the full support of the Azerbaijani side. Initially, the project will be implemented with Turkey, and it is possible that in the future the project will involve other countries in the region," the DPC said.
The IMEI-code registration system was launched in Azerbaijan on May 1, 2013. Mobile devices brought to the country for private use (in the networks of mobile operators of Azerbaijan) need to be registered within 30 days. These rules do not apply to tourists and visitors, whose mobile phones are served in roaming.
Currently, more than 13 million mobile phones are registered in the IMEI-code database.
DPC said that in addition to mobile phones, the system also includes devices using GSM (tablet computers, navigation devices, household appliances and others).
The new system also makes it possible to obtain accurate information on the mobile phone market (market volume, the number of legal and illegal imported products).
To check the IMEI code one needs to access the database using the imei.az website, where the information is publicly available.
An information and referral service *1677 was also created for detailed information.
Edited by CN
