Curbing mobile phone related crime

IMEI database also necessary: Experts

Alongside the accurate registration of mobile SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card, database of mobile handset IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number is needed to thwart mobile phone-based crime, opined experts.
They said the law enforcing agencies would be able to nab the perpetrators easily when SIM (Subscriber identity module) number would be pinned with the IMEI number from the database.
In addition, few opted for introducing local IMEI number so duplication of the number is not possible in any way.      
Meanwhile, all the cellular phone operators in the country have started biometric SIM registration on trial basis on November 15 as per the directive of the telecom regulator BTRC (Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Authority). Besides, State Minister for Posts and Telecommunication Tarana Halim announced they are going to start the process of building IMEI database in April next year after completion of biometric SIM registration.
Mobile Phone Importers Association (MPIA) president M Ruhul Alam Al Mahbub (Manik) said duplicate and fake handset would flood the market in future if the telecom regulator doesn’t take preventive measure immediately.
“Mobile handset market would reach a size of Taka 20,000 to 25,000 crore in the coming days. So, the BTRC should put emphasis on it,” he added.
Statistics showed on average 20 lakh handsets and 20,000 pieces of tablet are being imported in the country every month, of which the share of smartphones is 21 per cent.
Monirul Islam, Joint Commissioner and spokesperson of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said they are facing trouble during the investigation of mobile phone-based crime due to fake SIM registration and false IMEI number.
“If there is a database of handset IMEI and actual information of SIM card users, we can easily nab the perpetrator,” said Monirul.
Talking about local IMEI number, Rezwanul Haque, Secretary of MPIA and Senior Director of Symphony, said many countries especially India has introduced separate IMEI country code. “We also can introduce such local code to identify the handset and user,” he added.
Commenting on the issue, BTRC Chairman Dr Shahjahan Mahmood said their ultimate goal is to prepare an IMEI database of mobile handset for ensuring security.   
In addition, a separate division for handing mobile devices would also be opened immediately, he added.
Now the country has over 13 crore mobile phone subscribers and over 8 crore handsets in people’s hand.

Curbing mobile phone related crime

IMEI database also necessary: Experts

Alongside the accurate registration of mobile SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card, database of mobile handset IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number is needed to thwart mobile phone-based crime, opined experts. They said the law enforcing agencies would be able to nab the perpetrators easily when SIM (Subscriber identity module) number would be pinned with the IMEI number from the database. In addition, few opted for introducing local IMEI number so duplication of the number is not possible in any way. Meanwhile, all the cellular phone operators in the country have started biometric SIM registration on trial basis on November 15 as per the directive of the telecom regulator BTRC (Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Authority). Besides, State Minister for Posts and Telecommunication Tarana Halim announced they are going to start the process of building IMEI database in April next year after completion of biometric SIM registration. Mobile Phone Importers Association (MPIA) president M Ruhul Alam Al Mahbub (Manik) said duplicate and fake handset would flood the market in future if the telecom regulator doesnt take preventive measure immediately. Mobile handset market would reach a size of Taka 20,000 to 25,000 crore in the coming days. So, the BTRC should put emphasis on it, he added. Statistics showed on average 20 lakh handsets and 20,000 pieces of tablet are being imported in the country every month, of which the share of smartphones is 21 per cent. Monirul Islam, Joint Commissioner and spokesperson of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said they are facing trouble during the investigation of mobile phone-based crime due to fake SIM registration and false IMEI number. If there is a database of handset IMEI and actual information of SIM card users, we can easily nab the perpetrator, said Monirul. Talking about local IMEI number, Rezwanul Haque, Secretary of MPIA and Senior Director of Symphony, said many countries especially India has introduced separate IMEI country code. We also can introduce such local code to identify the handset and user, he added. Commenting on the issue, BTRC Chairman Dr Shahjahan Mahmood said their ultimate goal is to prepare an IMEI database of mobile handset for ensuring security. In addition, a separate division for handing mobile devices would also be opened immediately, he added. Now the country has over 13 crore mobile phone subscribers and over 8 crore handsets in peoples hand.