Government plans to crack down on illegal sales of mobile devices

Kathmandu March 4- Ministry of Finance has urged the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology and concerned agencies to introduce cellphone tracking system to crack down on the illegal import and sales of mobile devices andto implement the Equipment Identity Registration (EIR) system so that the country could get multiple benefits through the full-fledged implementation of the system. The telecommunication sector regulator and telecommunication service providers have been asked to implement the new system by mid-April this year.

Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) has said that it has been preparing interim guidelines to implement the EIR system. After this system is introduced, mobile traders and dealers will have to register the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) series of the cellphones at NTA and customs offices while importing mobile devices which will reduce the grey market of cellphones and also help control criminal activities that are committed with the help of mobile devices. It will also helps authority to lock the phone if it is lost, thus helping secure private details of the mobile owner.