IMEI registration mandatory for mobile phones to function in Nepal from tomorrow

KATHMANDU : The Nepal Telecom Authority (NTA) is adopting a mobile device management system from Friday in order to monitor illegal use of mobile phones in the country.

Those mobile phones that are currently in use without IMEI registration will not function gradually in the coming days, according to the authority. “Mobile phones without IMEI registration won’t stop functioning from tomorrow immediately.”

Under this system, those mobile phones that were commercially imported and purchased in Nepal do not require to be re-registered. But, those people who have imported mobile phones from foreign countries personally have to register their phones.

“For now, all kinds of mobile phones currently in operation either registered or not registered – even if they are commercially or personally imported – will function. However, the authority can revise its provisions and the unregistered phones will have to be registered in the coming days,” said Santosh Paudel, spokesperson for the NTA.

“Customers from now onward should check if the phone he/she is purchasing is registered or not. The phones purchased in Nepal are usually pre-registered,” Paudel added.

From Friday, the people importing mobile phones personally from foreign countries will have to undergo IMEI registration in order to use it in Nepal.

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique number for identifying a device on a mobile network. It is similar to a phone’s social security number.

IMEI registration comes handy when any phone gets lost or stolen. With the help of the IMEI number, one can make sure the phone, if lost or stolen, cannot be used by the person finding it. The carrier can blacklist a device based on its IMEI number and can contact other carriers to do the same. This means the phone won’t be able to make/receive calls anymore or connect online via the cellular network, even with a new SIM card.

Mobile phone users can dial *#06# to know their IMEI number. Customers can visit the official website of Nepal Telecom Authority in order to register their mobile sets.