Mobile phones whose International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers have not been registered at Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) will stop working from today. While announcing the budget for fiscal year 2021/22, former finance minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel had stated that mobile phones which are illegally brought into the country will stop functioning from today.
As per the announcement made during the budget presentation, NTA has deployed the Mobile Device Management System (MDMS) from today to control the illegal import of mobile devices into the country. The MDMS which is being implemented from today was being prepared by the telecommunication regulatory body since long.
NTA has said the Mobile Device Management System is being implemented to make sure that the quality of the mobile phones and their IMEI numbers are registered with the telecom regulator.
Meanwhile, Nepal Telecommunications Authority has issued a notice mentioning that mobile phones which have been in use till date will not face any problems. The notice mentions that in the initial stage authorised distributors will have to register the IMEI numbers of the mobile phones that have been imported at the MDMS. It has added the system will be gradually enhanced and made fully operational so as to provide even more secure and reliable services.
The Mobile Device Management System makes sure that mobile phones which are imported illegally, or are counterfeits will not be functional. Similarly, phones that have been stolen will also not function.
NTA has constructed a building in Chabahil to house the hardware and software that are necessary for the implementation of the Mobile Device Management System.
