ISLAMABAD – The implementation of Device Identification Registration &Blocking System (DIRBS), developedto curtail counterfeit mobile phone usage, would start from December 1(Saturday).
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has developed this System todiscourage mobile phones theft and protect consumer interest and in linewith telecom policy which has been issued by Ministry of InformationTechnology and Telecommunications.
As per details issued here, DIRBS is a forward working solution and isdesigned to cater for no service interruptionfor all Pakistani cellular mobile service users.
All mobile devices including non-compliant that are active on cellularmobile networks within Pakistan till December 1, 2018 will remainoperational and not be blocked, interrupted from mobile services.
In order to facilitate any user, currently using non-compliant mobiledevices (15 digit International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of mobiledevice is not as per international standards), Pakistan TelecommunicationAuthority shall auto-pair all such IMEIs with their mobile numbers and theywill remain operational withoutany service interruption.
After DIRBS implementation on December 1, 2018 any new mobile deviceprogrammed with a non-standard IMEI number will be considered asnon-compliant device and shall not be allowed any mobileconnectivity/service in Pakistani territory as per PTA/DIRBS regulations.
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PTA has already carried out an extensive awareness campaign to educatemasses on DIRBS. PTA is sending informatory SMS to all mobile subscribersto notify status of their mobile device(s) in use on Pakistani cellularmobile networks.
For all Pakistani mobile device users wishing to know status of a devicecan send each 15 digit IMEI number via SMS to 8484. The status of mobiledevice can also be checked via PTA website link www.dirbs.pta.gov.pk or bydownloading DIRBS Android mobile application.
Some of methods for obtaining a mobile device IMEI include: Dial *#06# from dial pad of device and note down each 15-digitIMEI. IMEI is printed on device box. IMEI is printed on inside of a device and can be viewed byremoving the back cover/ battery.
DIRBS system will send one of following four responses to IMEI query asexplained below:Compliant/PTA Approved Device: The mobile device is PTA approved andlegally imported into PakistanDevice IMEI is valid: The IMEI of this mobile device isvalid as it is GSMA approved, but it is not PTA approved. Tofacilitate such users, PTA will auto register all such IMEIswhich are observed on network till December 1, 2018. Their status willbe converted to compliant. A user in possession of such devicesare advised to insert their local SIM card and do a voice or dataactivity so such Valid IMEI are observed on Pakistani mobilenetworks and subsequently listed within DIRBS system so usermay continue to avail uninterrupted mobile services on suchdevices.Non-compliant Devices: This is not a PTA approved mobiledevice as IMEI on device is either non-standard, duplicated etc. Toensure users of all such devices do not face any connectivity/serviceissues PTA will auto pair all such IMEIs, which are observed onmobile network till December 1, 2018, with their mobile number sodevice shall remain operational till useful life of device. A userin possession of such devices are advised to insert their localSIM card and do a voice or data activity so such non-compliantIMEI are observed on Pakistani mobile networks andsubsequently listed within DIRBS system so user maycontinue to avail uninterrupted mobile services on such devices.Blocked devices: The IMEI is reported as stolen and notallowed for usage/services. All mobile devices consumers areadvised that from December 1, 2018 onwards they can check IMEIstatus of a device prior to buying/obtaining by sending each15 digit IMEI via SMS to 8484, PTA website linkor via DIRBS Android app and buy Compliant/PTA.
