ISLAMABAD – Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Thursday decided to extend the deadline of implementation of Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) until further notice.
“Keeping in view the requests from mobile device consumers and stakeholders, and to create further awareness for the general public, the authority has decided to extend the deadline of implementation of Device Identification Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) until further notice,” a PTA notification reads.
Earlier today, the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication expressed reservations over the verification process of which the masses were not properly made aware.
The Senate body directed the PTA to extend by one month its October 20, 2018 deadline for blocking unregistered mobile phones.
A meeting of the committee, chaired by Senator Rubina Khalid, discussed the message being circulated by the PTA which warned about blocking non-compliant mobile devices after October 20.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/how-to-registrar-your-smartphone-before-it-goes-mute-permanently/
In line with Telecommunication Policy 2015, PTA has developed a Device Identification Registration & Blocking System (DIRBS) for facilitation of general public.
The committee sought more details and directed the PTA to extend the deadline by one month until the body understood the system being introduced to curb illegal mobile phone imports.
The parliamentary panel raised questions as to why no action had been taken against dealers and importers and why the implementation of policy directives was delayed.
The committee members were of the view that not all the 150 million mobile phone users could understand the PTA message and afford the purchase of new phones.
Regarding DIRBS, they wanted to know how a system worth millions of rupees was purchased.
The chairperson clarified that the committee endorsed the initiative but at the same time it was worried about the interest of mobile phone consumers. “The public is still confused about the IMEI issue and they need to be well-informed through a massive media campaign,” she remarked.
Giving a presentation, PTA Chairman/Member Finance Muhammad Naveed told the committee that the new mechanism had been established in order to ensure healthy growth of the mobile device eco-system in Pakistan.
He pointed out that the regulatory authority had informed consumers through the Short Messaging Service (SMS) regarding the method for registration of their cellular devices. A user could verify his/her handset’s International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number by sending a message to 8484 or by downloading the DIRBS Android mobile application from Google Play Store.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/pta-set-to-start-blocking-stolen-smuggled-phones-in-pakistan/
Naveed emphasised that the PTA finalised the policy after holding consultations with all stakeholders, adding the system facilitated legitimate device importers and mobile users and would improve the overall security situation.
How to verify mobile device status?
Mobile Device consumers can continue using DIRBS facility to verify status of mobile device’s IMEI(s).
Users can know the IMEI of their mobile device by dialing *#06#.
To verify mobile device status, users will send device’s IMEI number to 8484 via SMS, or PTA website or by downloading DIRBS android mobile application from Google Play Store.
