Legal Struggle: Chinese Phones in India

Techtree News Staff, Dec 22, 2008 1321 hrs IST

The IMEI is an identification number that is unique to each GSM handset, which it is legally bound to have

Over 25 million Chinese handset users can heave a sigh of relief as the government mulls over a plan to legalize these IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number lacking handsets being used all over India.

Unbranded Chinese handsets, which have become a rage among the lower middle class, have found themselves on the wrong side of the law following reports that these handsets were being used in terrorist activities. The handsets used by terrorists usually do not have IMEI numbers that every GSM cell phone is legally bound to have. The IMEI is an identification number that is unique to each GSM handset -- in most countries a legal prerequisite for handsets to operate.

In India, in recent years, we have seen an explosive growth in the mobile telephony sector. Apart from handsets from mainstream manufacturers, Chinese phones - many of them spurious, with little or no R&D going into their production - started flooding the market. While most Chinese handsets have IMEI numbers, many do not, and it is these handsets that the government has targeted. In a recent directive, the Government had asked all telcom companies to cut off services to all handsets that lack an IMEI number. The last date to implement this directive is January 6, 2009.

However, according to a recent Economic Times report, the Government is planning to extend the deadline until March 31, 2009, as the industry has developed a software that can assign an IMEI number to these phones with the help of a software update. In October, the DoT (Department of Telecommunications) had asked companies to store IMEI numbers in their Equipment Identity Register (EIR) databases. EIR is used to ensure that calls made from a stolen handset having a unique IMEI can be traced and blocked - rendering it useless. The same technology can be used to identify cell phones that lack an IMEI or just have a couple of zeroes for the IMEI number to effectively bar calls from such handsets. Post the diktat, the COAI (Cellular Operators Association of India) is planning to approach the government to seek an extension until the the IMEI assigning software can be added into phones via the update.

The issues under consideration are the large user base for these phones and the fact that the handsets would be rendered useless after implementation of the directive, resulting in a loss to its innocent owners. The COAI is planning a drive to make people aware about the dangers of using a non-IMEI handset and about the software update that is expected to cost Rs. 100 per phone, which is a nominal amount considering it can save a phone from becoming useless.

The telcom companies also claim that they need some more time to install the software since the EIR equipment has to be imported. They have also asked the government to direct the customs authorities to ban the import of such handsets into the country.

What do you think? Do we need to ban Chinese phones completely or do we need to legalize these handsets as they claim to offer great value for money for the budget conscious user?

USER COMMENTS

My mobilemodel is RAGE Model: RD 410. IMEI no is 354038020184646 but it is invalid & my handset stop working from 30th Nov. I am in Nagpur City so pls send me GII centre name in nagpur & also gaidence for me.

by Dilip, Nagpur, on Nov 17, 2009 07:22 PM, Report abuse Reply

If u have a invalid IMEI handset phone.How u verify that u have valid or invalid IMEI no. It so easy . IMEI (15 desit no.) and send it on 53232 . Ex. IMEI 231425637654327 and send it on 53232 . if it is invalid it will say Alert ! invalid no. after u find GII centre in your city .Go there and buy new IMEI no only paying 199. Rs. for find GII centre send a massage GII (city / area pincode ) send on 4444 .

by vipul patel, surat, on Nov 12, 2009 05:44 PM, Report abuse Reply

according to me these china mobiles should not be bended bcz it giving a great value for money. in a very nominalprive we are able to avail many facilities at a same time

by ANIL AGARWAL, KOLKATA, on Apr 09, 2009 10:19 PM, Report abuse Reply

IMIE no. is necessary ok but .... they call from sim know for that sim adrss, proof is there know in that gov. can identify know y they r telling about emie no.

by shashikumar, bangalore, on Apr 08, 2009 10:58 AM, Report abuse Reply

We Should Not allow Chineese Phones to come to India and Increase the possibility of Secuirty Threats to India

by P.hemanth, Noida, on Feb 08, 2009 11:54 AM, Report abuse Reply

we should allow Chineese Phones to come to india and increase the possibility of security threats to india.

by P.hemanth, Noida, on Feb 08, 2009 11:51 AM, Report abuse Reply

I ALSO SUGGEST TO LEGALIZE CHINESE HANDSETS AS THEY ARE SO ECONOMIC FOR THE USER.

by ARUN, MYSORE, on Jan 16, 2009 05:59 PM, Report abuse Reply

chines mobiles are good enough ,provided they should be legalize.because middle and lower class families also have the right to get connected to their dear ones.india govt. should have to take decision in the favor of the people

by rajinder, JAMMU, on Jan 13, 2009 06:24 PM, Report abuse Reply

First of all IMEI number is not needed to trace a mobile call, What is the SIM for then? When you get a SIM you cannot activate it without giving proper address proof. Government should make this rule violation punishiable. Mobile number is enough to know from where the call is made and from which tower the call was made. IMEI number is important only when your mobile gets stolen and you want to trace it to the person using your stolen mobile. LACK OF IMEI NUMBER DOESNOT POSE ANY SECURITY THREAT. Also IMEI Number of branded phones can be changed with software...! All this hype is because the reduced sales for the branded companies who are looting us.

by Girish, Karwar, on Jan 06, 2009 04:59 PM, Report abuse Reply

There are many other threats Brother: 1) No Radiation check is done for chinese mobile 2) They are not ICA certified. 3) No IMEI means once stolen... forget it. Government is doing all this for our security. However they should ban such phones earlier instead of banning them while 2 crore indians are usin them!

by Aslam, Hyderabad, on Jan 07, 2009 03:36 PM, Report abuse

absolutely I agree with you without SIM Mobile will not work, then how come the terrorist got the sim even if it is chine made mobile or india or usa, issue of SIM to terrorist - no body bother to ask mobile operators. Simply they say ban the china mobile, now I will say ban the mobile opertor who had issued SIM to the terrorist.

by AG Reddy, Hyderabad, on Jan 13, 2009 03:28 PM, Report abuse

please shotly i need 2500$ now please there is know mis to get the money please me now with wester union

by mawata12, pointe noire, on Jan 09, 2009 03:24 AM, Report abuse Reply

I request Government to ban Chinese Mobiles which are sold in Indian Market without any regulation. All these sets are sold without paying tax to the Government. And there is no guarantee on Chinese sets, if the set has got serious problem they will not replace it.

by Mahesh, New Delhi, on Jan 08, 2009 09:14 PM, Report abuse Reply

The China Mobiles are threat to indian mobile companies, These mobiles should be levied with heavy import duty to make their price competetive to local market, also add security updates to it for free and make there price to atleast 60% of the technologies provided the handset to actual technologies used in Non China Branded Mobiles. Dont allow china to Elevate their Economy at the cost of Indias economy.

by Atul Pawar, Mumbai, on Jan 08, 2009 02:22 PM, Report abuse Reply

i want to be clear that china mobile with proper ime no will also be banned or without ime no and how we will come to know that ime no written on china mobile is proper or no

by mehul, mumbai, on Jan 06, 2009 09:51 PM, Report abuse Reply

mr.mehul pls ask me in detail i will make ur this point clear

by sufiyan, shenzhen, on Jan 07, 2009 11:51 PM, Report abuse

china phone should be banned as many people play song in public place and disturb other.it also creates more radtition compared 2 branded phone china sucks

by manan, MUMBAI, on Dec 31, 2008 10:33 PM, Report abuse Reply

Yes that's it!

by Aslam, Hyderabad, on Jan 07, 2009 03:39 PM, Report abuse

manan? hello m sufiyan motiwala from surat may i know ur full name

by sufiyan, shenzhen, on Jan 07, 2009 11:47 PM, Report abuse

i think we need to legalize these handsets because user are from middle class people and they cant afford expencive phones. today every one want to use higher technology n more facilities so what about middle class they are not from everyone? branded phones cant give that much facilities which china giving in very less money and main point in this branded companys has been lossed sales bcoz of china so they given bribe of thousandcrores to make it issue n ban this. n more over branded has given paid news on tv too

by sufiyan, shenzhen, on Jan 07, 2009 11:27 PM, Report abuse Reply

It is not at all advisable to buy a chinese mobile:And it's all Bullshit that chinese mobiles provides most of the features which the branded mobiles can provide. Here are some that you''ll never find with a cheap chinese phone: 1) Good handsfree 2) Onboard Speaker with punch (It gives only treble effect) 3) A touchscreen with good response 4) Wi-fi 5) EDGE, 3G, HSDPD 6) Good Finishing 7) Smart menu functions 8) Bluetooth 2.0+ EDR 9) Good Battery Backup 10) 16M colors display

by Anand, Hyderabad, on Jan 07, 2009 03:24 PM, Report abuse Reply

without imei no sets should be banned in india but if there is any software by which these mobiles can be traced should be welcome as these chines phones are in everybody's pocket.

by mukesh khatri, delhi, on Jan 06, 2009 04:30 PM, Report abuse Reply

ALTHOUGH ME AND MY BROTHER IS USING NOKIA BUT STILL I FEEL BAD ABOUT THOSE WHO INOCENTLY BUY IT.I THINK THERE MUST BE OTHER ALTERNATIVE THAT SURELY GOVT. WILL FIND IT AND TAKE NECESSARY STEPS

by PRASHAANT SHARM, MEERUT, on Jan 06, 2009 01:15 PM, Report abuse Reply

okay i will go with the govt way........since it is unable to detect or trace (terrors) we should certainly ban the mobile which doesent have IMEI number.....

by ANNAMALAI, CHENNAI, on Jan 05, 2009 08:32 PM, Report abuse Reply

These chinese phones creating nuisance all over India According to me it should b banned in entire world even in china.... It sucks

by MD NOORUDDIN, BANGALORE, on Jan 05, 2009 03:41 PM, Report abuse Reply

chinese mobile phones ban by Government means there will a big problem to india and also a big loss for airtel vodafone aircel the Government suppose to think and take a correct decition becaus millions of people in india using korian mobile in india it is a very very bad decition. the government have to do some think and they have to take right decition

by riyaz, chennai, on Jan 05, 2009 01:39 PM, Report abuse Reply

by kuamresan, coimbutor, on Jan 05, 2009 03:04 PM, Report abuse

Its Very Good Decssion by Indian Govt. In the same way please control other areas also.

by santhosh, Bangalore, on Jan 05, 2009 02:02 PM, Report abuse Reply

we should ban chinese phones

by Tushar, Chandigarh, on Jan 03, 2009 01:43 PM, Report abuse Reply

Its o.K. to ban the chinese mobile phones for securitiy reason but this Govt must think about the innocent people especialy the middle & lower middle class who purchase their set under the nose of so called Govt. and their agencies. This a great loss to the people as money worthy and to the atmosphere as destoying the electronic device.

by Sharma, N.Delhi, on Jan 02, 2009 05:21 PM, Report abuse Reply

Ban is not the soloutin Government should think for other soloution,middle class people are only useing these mobiles if govt is going to ban these people will be in loss ok so govt should try other plan to change IMEI numbers ok

by D.sampath Kumar, Hyderabad, on Jan 02, 2009 12:58 PM, Report abuse Reply

these are in the hands of poor indians. so donot ban.

by ss patil, solapur, on Jan 01, 2009 06:32 PM, Report abuse Reply

government should introduce a proper way to register imei of Chinese mobile instead of barring them.I have a Chinese mobile it shows imei no. why they not register them.

by ankit agarwal, lucknow, on Dec 31, 2008 10:00 AM, Report abuse Reply

Ban them if they are breaking any law e.g. not having a proper IMEI or aren't paying import dutes etc. If they haven't broken any law, who can stop them ?

by Umesh D., Mumbai, on Dec 30, 2008 06:19 PM, Report abuse Reply

tell me it will ban or not, and goverment ban the chiness mobile then any solvation or software for it

by DEVESH MISHRA, MORADABAD, on Dec 29, 2008 02:19 PM, Report abuse Reply

Ban them.......There are a menace who need to be nipped at the bud itself...think of all the companies spending millions of dollars on R&D. This will send wrong signals everywhere. Intellectual Property Rights are protected under Indian law...so why legalise them

by tejaswy, Noida, on Dec 29, 2008 01:08 PM, Report abuse Reply

few chinese handsets have imei number they should not be banned . Only the fake illegal chinese handsets shoud be banned.

by Apoorv, delhi, on Dec 29, 2008 10:03 AM, Report abuse Reply

You can not ban chinese and taiwnese products as 90% of electronic products are made there. If you will open your so called genuine product, you see the "Made in China" label. Thus, instead of thinking of banning them, ensure that they have authenticated IMEI number

by Your Dream, Delhi, on Dec 29, 2008 04:00 AM, Report abuse Reply

hey when chinese make mobiles for 4000 bucks (imagine cost price may be 2500)why not nokia etc produce it for 4000 bucks with similar features given its worldwide market . its all the cellphone companies want to make money and distribute the branding costs on people. So cellphoenes can be produced for 4000 bucks.

by sriram, coimbatore, on Dec 28, 2008 03:49 PM, Report abuse Reply

We all know that chinese mobiles provide us the features available in 10,000 - 20,000 rupee mobile, on an average a Chinese handset with bluetooth and expandable 1.3 camera around 3000 - 4000 Rs., i do agree that chinese handset sport a large screen and dual sim cards, touchscreen, 4-8 speakers. i know the chinese have more to offer but you can sacrifice a little bit for the welfare of your country. now the prices of mobile are coming down. so you can buy all the features(except touchscreen) at 4000 - 5000 rupees. go buy branded handset, nokia, samsung, lg, motorola. they all have IMEI no. if you want to figure out what your IMEI no. is dial *#06#

by Chintan, mumbai, on Dec 27, 2008 06:59 PM, Report abuse Reply

IMP - HEY ALL U GUYS OUT THERE AND WISH IF MY VOICE COULD REACH THIS IMPOTENT GOVERNMENT - PROBLEM IS NOT CHINESE PHONES ITS GOVERNMENT AND NEXUS OF THE GANGSTERS DISGUISED AS BRANDED MOBILE MAKERS . WE ARE IMPORTING CHINESE MOBILES AND BELIEVE ME THEY ARE ALL WITH REAL IMEI NUMBERS , PROPER DUTY PAID , PROER SALES TAX PAID AND GOOD QUALITY ( INFACT MUCH BETTER THAN THESE BRANDED WHICH TOO ARE MADE IN SAME FACTORIES IN CHINA AND THEY STAMP THEIR BRAND ON IT. INFACT THEIR COSTING IS LOWER THAN US AS THEY USE CHEAPER CHIPS ,STILL THEY CHARGE EXHOBIDENTLY. STOP MISGUIDING PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY.YES THERE ARE NON IMEI MOBILES FROM CHINA BUT SAME IS THE CASE WITH SOME INDIAN MANUFACTURERS TOO. SHAME ON SUCH GOVT AUTHORITIES N THESE BRANDED PLAYERS MAKING MONEY N PROFIT ON DEATH OF INNOCENT INDIANS IN TERROR ATTACKS AND DO NOTHING TO BRING TERRORIST TO JUSTICE AND PUNISH INNOCENT INDIAN CITIZENS.

by Nick, Delhi, on Dec 27, 2008 06:42 PM, Report abuse Reply

I am from a middle class surrounding. I and my brother using korea mobiles because of their cost and good features which our mobile manufacturers cannot provide. I understand the necessity of the ban but we are innocent because the government should have banned these mobiles by the time they entered in the market. Now as per the survey there are about 2.5 Crore mobiles are there in India. Just think about it. My suggestion is, for the existing mobiles( we are using it for more than a year ) they ( Service providers ) can create some identification and it should be registered. And strictly the import of such mobiles should be banned here after. So that all existing users can breathe freely because all users are middle and low class people.

by Y. Sivakumar, Bangalore, on Dec 27, 2008 05:09 PM, Report abuse Reply

YES, we need to legalize these handsets as they claim to offer great value for money for the budget conscious user

by tatuskar, pune, on Dec 27, 2008 01:03 PM, Report abuse Reply

Hi guies, I just want to make an important point here. Since, chinise mobile phones are cheap and provide all the featues that a branded LG, Samsung, Nokia, Motorola, etc companies provide in 10,000 to 20,000 rupees, and chinise provide the same around 3000 to 4000. This is the main point, all branded companies making presure on Govt. to banned these mobile by giving useless execuse. As far as the phone can be used by terrorist, they can use any phone, they can steel it and there are plenty of other ways. By the way, terrorist are indeed very adavnce, they are using settlite phone, can the Govt. banned Sattlilte phone, it is impossible to banned it. Most of the users of chinise phones taking risk by buying these phones because it has no warrenty, if you buy it today and not working tomorrow, you can't do anything, either paid money to make it work or there may be chances that it can't be repair...........................

by Mohd Ali Naqvi, Allahabad, on Dec 27, 2008 09:42 AM, Report abuse Reply

I use a China phone It?s not the cheap rate that attracts me The services these phones provide are ABSENT in phones from all so-called "Authorised" companies Eg Dual SIM Cards - one CDMA one GSM Banning them is Capitalism killing competitn to squeeze masses

by Rudy, Mumbai, on Dec 27, 2008 09:04 AM, Report abuse Reply

banding the chinese phn cnt solve the problem of terrorist.terrosrist use cars n bikes but they stole it...whn the no is verified the cops get its fake no..so r they able to catch them? so just by geting IME no prb cnt b solved...rather b4 issiuing a new no its should b properly verified...no new no shuld b given to anyone witout guarrenters

by baskey, BHUBANESWAR, on Dec 27, 2008 08:33 AM, Report abuse Reply

I hope some Indian companies to battle with these chinese phones as quickly as possible ,so that the government can ban the chinese black marketed phones(which provide an employment area in China), without creating any financially concerned situation

by Dhirendra, India, on Dec 26, 2008 11:16 PM, Report abuse Reply

Atleast from now, new phones should not allowed without IMEI. And also consumer should be educated.

by Thiru, Bangalore, on Dec 22, 2008 02:45 PM, Report abuse Reply

sir in hyderabad somany middle and low class peoples are buy china mobiles but the government has plan to ban the chaina moblies but here these peoples are face the fincial problem so any alternative soluction in this problem

by ravinder raju, hyderabad, on Dec 26, 2008 07:25 PM, Report abuse Reply

plz send me this information

by kapil agarwal, jaipur, on Dec 26, 2008 04:09 PM, Report abuse Reply

see that most of the user of china sets or from the middle class peoples when its available in shops due the less cost with all the features which is not still found in the branded head sets government should not fool the people they should make an alternative instead of banning them which is in use

by Kumaresan, chennai, on Dec 25, 2008 08:34 PM, Report abuse Reply

Is there any necessary to BAN China Mobile Phones which are not having IMEI Nos in India?

by Kalyan, Hyderabad, on Dec 25, 2008 02:12 PM, Report abuse Reply

ya its surely a necessary one to make the china mobiles as a legalised oone by incorporating the new IMEI numbers into that, which will make the innocent owners to be under lossless condition........

by Purushothaman.G, coimbatore, on Dec 24, 2008 06:30 PM, Report abuse Reply

We need to ban chinese made cell phones from being sold in India.As for the sets already bought by consumers,we need to help them in some way.But new sets without IMEI should be completely banned,whatever be its origin.At least let our govet respond in this way.

by joy, trivandrum, on Dec 24, 2008 02:17 PM, Report abuse Reply

Adding with this only tracking IMEI is not the only way to trace the people but also the authorities have a number of ways to trace the terrrorism and laws to enforce security. Of which Mobile communication is also a part but the mass media makes it a very big issue as even a lay person is aware that The chinese mobiles have taken their chunk from the market, if the government wants to correct the security from these mobile let it plan for a regulation of bringing in those mobiles so that it can enjoy its own share. Without doing such things just banning is not the way becoz despite of conditions they find a way to bring will also find another way to get in here.

by Sudhakaran, Chennai, on Dec 24, 2008 01:22 PM, Report abuse Reply

Hi guys, I have a dual sim korean mobile for which i had celebrated the anniversary two months ago and i was told the phone will break if dropped down but i had dropped at least 25 times and still it works optimally. And I also checked the IMEI number which is very much available and so any recent phones by 2006 or later most probably will have all the necessary rules which you can rely on. So if you have an idea of purchasing a korean mobile go for it and enjoy the fun !! I am not talking from somebody else version, my own personal experience and still continuing With my Mobile and anybody who gets in touch with my mobile is baffled by its features but those who are brand bitten shows a face. This is for those who are against the Chinese-Korean Mobiles or So callled Brand FADS I laugh at such people and feel pity for as the advertisement says " Brand Nahi tho Style Nahi" ? People feel that only branded items are Quality and anything without a brand doesnot have quality. Wakeup Guys, Don't Get carried away by the Jingles and Advertisement made and these branded versions/products are made to make huge profits in various foreign companies especially in the Mobile industry, You can check it on your own the rates for models when they get launched and the rate they quote for the same after a year or later Eg: The rate of Nokia N72 When introduced was around Rs 15000 But now it is available for Rs 8000 or less Why this change and disparity?? Think over !!!! Brand guys, you pay for the Company advertisements in crores and celebrities and how the company pays for that? obviously the brand freaks are paying for the sake of advertising their brand where the actual cost will be around Rs 5000 or 6000 but they are ready Rs 25000 because it is nokia brand and "brand nahi tho Quality Nahi" FADS proudly pays for that. Recent Advertisement on Spectacles by a company says" Whats on your eyes Man?, Brand Nahi Tho Style Nahi" . Look at the start of the advt Where the guy shows off his brands on various things. This is height of Stupidity and Superficial Brand label carryover by the MNCs and mass medias. Doesnt People Wear or use anything before these companies came in to india. Or Only things marketed by branded companies are Quality products and other are stale in quality. Come on Guys!! Wake UP !!! Dont GEt illused by this Brand Label Maniacs for their own Marketing they Blabber these stupid things and you guys Talk as " Brand" and "Quality" . Regarding Radiation also, any mobile whether branded or chinese has the same problem of radiation affecting your health provided how long you are using your phone in a day? I hope i had given some points to think over I can Say The Chinese or Korean Mobiles does not advertise so they are able to provide at Such a lower cost. Local or Economical Products are good in quality and hygeinic but we are crazy about foreign products and so we feel as the MNC gaints says that only brand means Quality. Remember this first, Any MNC in its consumer Products which becomes a Failure in international market are launched and marketed as Specificall made for india but actually MNCs are taking India as their Consumer Dumpyard... Choose based on your instincts and brain but not celebreties says " I use this brand so you?" like ads and colorful media jingles which toxicates us with their Brand illusions Sudhakaran Feel Free to discuss or opine becoz that's my Job to clarify illusions and Inhibitions See ya

by Sudhakaran, Chennai, on Dec 24, 2008 01:13 PM, Report abuse Reply

i wah the detleds and mour usea and impermeson of the for the

by c.thirugnanakum, coimbator, on Dec 24, 2008 11:33 AM, Report abuse Reply

China mobail is so good in india market

by Ritesh More, Mumbai, on Dec 24, 2008 09:52 AM, Report abuse Reply

My 2 cents, OUR GOVT HAD MADE THE RIGHT DECISION. I using a device which is imported but was brought into the country without customs clearence is ILLEGAL, even though its "VALUE FOR MONEY". Well the question is "do you want to buy genuine cellphone for the right price or a good looking paper weight" Knowing the cellphone which was misused is better than NOT KNOWING it at all , and then , all calls which were made with this cell phone and their locations can be traced in case of an investigation. But who will make sure that the so called "Software update" is not hacked into.... which will be even more troublesome to manage. The best way is to SHUT IT DOWN... i am sure nobody would want to lose their hard earned money twice by buying bad CHEAP COPY CAT phones again.

by Gokul, MD, on Dec 24, 2008 03:13 AM, Report abuse Reply

We need to ban them. First they are a big threat to the society. Next, they are also illegally imported into the country, making huge profits by skipping the custom duties and so on. Its a big loss to our economy as well. I would like to see the ban of most of the goods illegally imported from especially china. China is that kind of a country which would like to unsettle the economy of our country.

by Siva, Hyderabad, on Dec 23, 2008 07:28 PM, Report abuse Reply

a few comments from me: --> i still cant understand how a phone without IMEI # can prevent terrors. Anyone can still buy a phone for 1000Rs and make calls... how will a phone with or without IMEI # prevent terror attacks ? cant understand. -->One the other end, i would discourage phones which are not complaint with our legal system. They should be barred from getting on to our network. --> i am sure that these chinese phones were smuggled into india avoiding taxes/customs. Also, these are sold without bill so VAT is not collected. This causes huge loss to the state. The people who profit from this are the sellers/distributors who can make higher margin on a chinese phone than a branded one. --> who told u Chinese cellphones are cheap? low end branded phones (Nokia, Spice, motorola, etc) cost around Rs 1000 in any store including a one year warranty. let me know if chinese phones cost lower than this. also, chinese phones are really un reliable with no spares available.

by Gopi Prashanth, Bangalore, on Dec 23, 2008 07:25 PM, Report abuse Reply

by Siva, Hyderabad, on Dec 23, 2008 07:22 PM, Report abuse Reply

Obviously it should be allowed. Its value for money. I am sure Indian government and mobile manufacturers will not think about middle class people, once Chinese mobiles are banned, the mobile manufacturers (in India) sale would increase drastically and the government would also get benefited by the taxes.

by Well Wisher, Mumbai, on Dec 23, 2008 07:08 PM, Report abuse Reply

Are you sure those terrorists only use cellphones that don't have an IMEI? Maybe they can use one phone in another citizen's name.. Why don't the goverment ban guns? That's what the Chinese authorities do.

by Mathew, Bangaluru, on Dec 23, 2008 03:21 PM, Report abuse Reply

lolz..that is also a good solution...hwevr, our fandoo govt wont do dat for sure..

by Nupur Khansili, New Delhi, on Dec 23, 2008 06:12 PM, Report abuse

this is the lesson to big comanies as there mobiles are very costly, they need to learn and adotpt this technology so that all counsmers can have a benifit of using good cells.

by Vinay, Bangalore, on Dec 23, 2008 03:19 PM, Report abuse Reply

well said

by murugoo, Chennai, on Dec 23, 2008 03:37 PM, Report abuse

I have Nokia Cell which Cost <25 K. some of these functions are Available in the Chinese Mobile. Chinese mobile has loud speaker which the Branded Mobile don't

by Ravi, Bangalore, on Dec 23, 2008 04:34 PM, Report abuse

I agree

by Nupur Khansili, New Delhi, on Dec 23, 2008 06:09 PM, Report abuse

I want the following question also to be added to the last paragraph. Do you want to get shot when you are sipping coffee inside a hotel or do you want to save a couple of thousand rupees?

by E.N, Bangalore, on Dec 23, 2008 09:39 AM, Report abuse Reply

but since IMEi no. of even an xpensive mobile phone cn b changed with xchange of few bucks , do u really think dat phone will save u frm nt getting shot???

by Nupur Khansili, New Delhi, on Dec 23, 2008 06:08 PM, Report abuse

Definetely Yes....No Phone without IMEI should work

by Rahul, Delhi, on Dec 23, 2008 04:03 PM, Report abuse Reply

IMEI work to track a mobile but i never heared to track a stolen mobile through IMEI then whats the use for this?

by ravi, ggn, on Dec 23, 2008 03:50 PM, Report abuse Reply

Definitely, not just phones ban all chinese products which are half assed and poor quality anyway. If its not IMEI, its something else they are lacking.

by druid, trivandrum, on Dec 23, 2008 03:49 PM, Report abuse Reply

yes these type of sets should be ban because it also affect the economy. The selller for these set does not pay any vat but get their price

by ravi, gurgaon, on Dec 23, 2008 03:44 PM, Report abuse Reply

telcom companies also claim that they need some more time to install the software right ?

by ganguly j, kolkata, on Dec 22, 2008 02:35 PM, Report abuse Reply

Govt must ban china mobiles which dont have IMEI number.It is safe to all Indian Citizens. At the same time peoples must have awareness of such mobile phones.

by anitha, hyd, on Dec 23, 2008 03:36 PM, Report abuse

Only china cellphone made cheaper the branded one.so let the police to issue SIM

by murugoo, Chennai, on Dec 23, 2008 03:34 PM, Report abuse Reply

Strictly Ban the Chinese unbranded Mobiles. Our country is not a bin to through all unbranded products.

by Vasu, Chennai, on Dec 23, 2008 03:15 PM, Report abuse Reply

BAN THEM! Unbranded Chinese products shouldnt be allowed into India. Not only does it pose a security threat, but it also hits the domestic mobile phone market.

by Rohit, Hyd, on Dec 23, 2008 09:54 AM, Report abuse Reply

Well said

by Anirudh, Mumbai, on Dec 23, 2008 03:11 PM, Report abuse

No, we don?t want Chinese mobile phones rather we Indians can develop one of those cheap kinds even if it takes long time to go. Better not hit by others in poor quality and dump our nation with unbranded, poor quality, toxicated and influencing terrorist activities.

by Anirudh, Mumbai, on Dec 23, 2008 03:07 PM, Report abuse Reply

There's a BIG flaw in this report or atleast what the telecom companies are telling. All the handsets are recognized by their IMEI. If any cellphone doesnt have an IMEI, it is not accepted to work in that network. Or have the indian companies tweaked to make it work?

by Rahul, hyd, on Dec 23, 2008 02:30 PM, Report abuse Reply

Its Very Good to Indian Security Department, All the mobile user sholud know about the the Security Problems at least with this Every one know about the national Security.

by Santhosh, Bangalore, on Dec 23, 2008 01:44 PM, Report abuse Reply

No these handsets should not be banned but they should be legalize as it is being used by large number of people in india.

by Gyanendra singh, Rudrapur, on Dec 23, 2008 01:40 PM, Report abuse Reply

hahah come on, not everyone can afford the iphone3G!!This is India, not US!!! Let people have access to a cheap and cool chinese cellphone, and charge them for the IMEI "update". There is nothing wrong in that! For security concerns... I'm sure terrorist are well sponsored and educated enough to know about all this IMEI and tracking technologies ;)

by Rahul, Chennai, on Dec 22, 2008 04:17 PM, Report abuse Reply

"Let people have access to a cheap and cool chinese cellphone, and charge them for the IMEI "update". I am agree with ur comments

by praveen, delhi, on Dec 22, 2008 04:26 PM, Report abuse

Its not just about security. Its also about intellectual property rights

by Meg, Bangalore, on Dec 23, 2008 12:57 PM, Report abuse

boss, if they can create IMEI using a software, then who is preventing terrorists to get the similar software and create some valid IMEI on their phones. This will create more problem then solution, tomorrow all of a sudden you will see police knocking your door, because some terrorist somewhere has created IMEI from these software and unfortunately its same as IMEI on your phone. Any you know Indian police they just need one BAKRA to put him on SOOLI God help India and our great Govt intelligence, coming up with these stupid security plans. Rather than enforcing something on Cellphone using some stupid software, enforce things on SIM card, which can truly be traced to its real owner.

by Nitin, Sunnnyvale, on Dec 23, 2008 12:44 PM, Report abuse Reply

i like chines mobiles but these mobiles cause to bomb blasts beacuse they dont have imei number so iadvice people ban these mobiles

by polineni venkat, bapatla, on Dec 23, 2008 12:32 PM, Report abuse Reply

I think that these mobiles shouldn't be banned. People shuld have access to cheap mobiles, this is India not US where every body can buy iPhone or N96. But my question how do u prevent some terrorists or thiefs from having access to software for flashing the stolen mobiles to get new IMEI number???

by Binoy918, Dammam, on Dec 23, 2008 11:03 AM, Report abuse Reply

Gvt should disconnect all mobiles which doesn't have IMEI number with de help of Service Providers. Casting out Chinese products are inevitable but almost impossible and it would be a blow to the lower middle level people.

by Prasanth Chunka, Chennai, on Dec 23, 2008 10:59 AM, Report abuse Reply

Hini Chini Bhai Bhai, Desh Bik Gaya Pai Pai

by Chou En Lai, Beijing, on Dec 23, 2008 04:14 AM, Report abuse Reply

Kawwa Bole Kai Kai, Public Bole Hai Hai

by Ram Avtaar, Kohlapur, on Dec 23, 2008 10:58 AM, Report abuse

Indian's need to learn to pay the price for quality products and appreciate technology, than allowing Piracy that funds terrorism or aids in terrorism. Not just CHinese mobiles all spurious software should be made inaccessible to people, for security reasons.

by Shankar Raj.J, Chennai, on Dec 23, 2008 10:48 AM, Report abuse Reply

Ban all Chinese and unbranded mobiles. It will save networks from being clogged as well as it will make security reach a new level. When lives are lost because of these cheap mobiles let people pay a price to save their loved one's lives.

by Shankar Raj.J, Chennai, on Dec 23, 2008 10:43 AM, Report abuse Reply

it will be very nice if the govt do it as soon as possible

by debasis samanta, cuttack, on Dec 23, 2008 10:25 AM, Report abuse Reply

We need to Ban chineese mobiles completely... due to chinese mobiles only terrorists are escaping from tracing.

by Rvikrishna, Hyderabad, on Dec 23, 2008 10:10 AM, Report abuse Reply

If the Govt thinks of legalising these Chinese mobiles, we can as well pressume that the GOI is not at all serious about terrorism and all its screaming after Mumbai terror attacks is a drama to reduce BJP's shouting. We can see many such acts by GOI with its undeclared purpose of retaining its vote bank... Antule's continuance as Minister is another example. For Congress, its vote Bank is more important than safety of the nation.

by mn Rao, Bangalore, on Dec 23, 2008 09:59 AM, Report abuse Reply

Yes Off course India must take strong steps to ban these brandless mobiles. Not only mobiles but every product from china that is brandless must me baned. People must discourage such chinese products to avoid dumping.

by India-Tech, Ahmedabad, on Dec 23, 2008 09:41 AM, Report abuse Reply

Security is more important than unregistered phones. In the meanwhile use smoke signal for communications..

by shankar, HUNTSVILLE, on Dec 23, 2008 02:46 AM, Report abuse Reply

IMEI is an important security number and services to such phones not having such numbers should be immediately stopped. First the numbers should be updated, if possible and then the services to the said handset should be started. Also there should be a software to check if two different handsets with same IMEI number are operating at the same time, because it is very easy to change the IMEI number (only needs a little knowledge about the flashing of phone and proper hardware and software)

by Ranjan Chaudhar, Delhi, on Dec 23, 2008 12:57 AM, Report abuse Reply

guys...now a days terrorist r highly qualified.n by profession they r highly qualified.so they wil find a new way to use the latest technology.coz they r funded by private firms nt by the goverment.n to come up to tht level goverment wil take long long time

by baskey, BHUBANESWAR, on Dec 22, 2008 08:06 PM, Report abuse Reply

You buy chinese products Chinese makes profit out of stupid Indians Chinese pass on the profit to it stooge paki paki sends terrorists to India to kill

by Jayaprabha, Bangalore, on Dec 22, 2008 08:59 PM, Report abuse

Guys last year nokia declared loss ok 200cr in india market...which was nt acctully loss ...due to chinise mobile phones they they had to cut down upto 50% prices so due to it they didnt earned that 50% tht was 200cr although they was earning in 50% reduced price too...its its all game to nokia they are making this issue to big thru media although no leagel notice is their from govt...in securety purupose if we talk u can find lots of guys in just 50/100 rs u can change ur emei num of ur nokia phones tooo....so wht u think these terrorist are just like that ....they are aware of all the latest technology ...

by vicky, delhi, on Dec 22, 2008 08:27 PM, Report abuse Reply

However there is no point in banning such phones as they are obviously needed by the lower middle class people, but a limit to their selling should be taken care of. sounds unrealistic, but this is the only way to curb the misuse by the terrorist. Since these types of phones are available with minimum of verification of the buyer, a strict check up is needed at that level. But blaming the phones for spreading terrorism is so something said in jest.

by Nupur Khansili, New Delhi, on Dec 22, 2008 07:34 PM, Report abuse Reply

These chinese phones without IIME nos should be banned since they are such a security hazard as far as tracing is concerned,also govt. should make sure to ban on import of the same type of handsets,at the same time govt. should also make proper evaluation of the total scenario & pro & cons of all handsets available & also make them known to general public so the consumenr should not get thmselves in any kind of trouble while dealing on secondhand or firsthand handsets as well as how to check IIME nos of phones at time of purchasing or selling

by Aurobindo, new delhi, on Dec 22, 2008 04:09 PM, Report abuse Reply

Tough times call for tough measures. We should not allow mobile phones without IMEI in our country. The Chinese manufacturers will soon comply. NO one wants to leave the Indian market. India needs to call the shots in it's battle against terror.

by Akshat Joshi, Delhi, on Dec 22, 2008 03:40 PM, Report abuse Reply

I do no know why the government has planned to ban to china set, instead of banning the handset they should collect the address or any other proof who are using the china handsets. I think this is the better way for all.

by Ranjith, chennai, on Dec 22, 2008 03:06 PM, Report abuse Reply