Etisalat to launch crackdown on fake mobiles on Jan 1

Wednesday, 21 December 2011 6:36 PM

Etisalat is to block services to illegal mobile phones in the UAE from Jan 1

Etisalat, the UAE-based telecoms operator, said on Wednesday it would block services to fake mobile phones from January 1.

The move follows a directive by the regulator, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, last month which ordered the UAE's telcos to crackdown on the estimated 70,000 counterfeit handsets believed to be in the country.

It also follows a similar decision by rival du announced on Tuesday to stop services to illegal phones from December 21.

Matthew Willsher, chief marketing officer, Etisalat, said: "Etisalat fully supports the TRA's decision in order to safeguard the interests of our customers as well as retailers.

"The use of fake mobile devices poses risks to users and adversely affects the quality of the telecommunication services."

Etisalat said in a statement that it has notified customers via SMS message alerting them about their use of fake mobile devices with a fake international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) number.

"In order to avoid disconnection of service, affected customers can replace their fake mobile devices with approved ones available from Etisalat."

UAE telco du said on Tuesday that it will block all unauthorised IMEIs from December 21.

UAE law prohibits the use, sale, purchase or distribution of fake mobile phones and those violating the law will be given notices and fines and in some cases their retail licences withdrawn, the TRA said.

There are some 11 million mobile phones in use in the country, it added.

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Posted by: Telcoguy Friday, 23 December 2011 12:06 PM[UAE] - UAE

It seems from what we are reading that they will target those handsets with duplicated IMEIS. that is a different set of the "fake" phones (that is, the iPhone look a likes and some other models)
The two sets overlap to certain extent but they are not the same. Fake IMEIS you can handle at the network, phones infringing IP you can handle at the sale point/customs... oh well, let see what surprises we get on Jan 1st.

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Posted by: keenObzerver Thursday, 22 December 2011 6:58 PM[UAE] - UK

I support banning the sale of phones that infringe on design copyrights of other original phones, only if these designs and logos are registered trademarks.
However, many of the so called "fake" fones are actually unique and odd looking handsets that have their own look.
In the UAE the only criteria that the TRA will use is whether the phone has a unique EMEI number, which is used by governments to track and trace the handset and its communications.
Other countries have been transparent when they blocked service access, and said that phones without valid EMEI serial numbers will be blocked for national security, and all the phone owners have either been compensated or given the option to register their phones with their ID's at govt telecom offices that reprogram and add new EMEI numbers.
I have a phone that looks like a heart, its not fake, and not breaking any copyright laws. It also doesnt have an EMEI number. Will this phone be blocked when im in the UAE? who will compensate me ? w

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