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PTA set to implement Device Identification Registration and Blocking System(DIRBS) from December 1st

November 29, 2018

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With the aim of the government being to shut down the usage of illegally acquired mobile phones in Pakistan, and to furthermore discourage the mobile phone theft and to in turn help protect the customer interest, which acts according to the Telecomm policy established in 2015 which was issued by the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication under section 9.6, PTA is finished developing the a system of Device Identification Registration and Blocking System also known as the DIRBS and have established the foundation whereby all the laws will start to be applicable by 1^st December 2018.

Moreover DIRBS is a working solution which is designed to carry out one major aim which is to allow for, no interruption of service for the Pakistani mobile phone users all round. All the mobile phone devices, including the notable non-compliant devices which are active on the telecomm networks, will remain operational and no action will be taken against them until the 1^st of December 2018.

Furthermore in order to facilitate any mobile phone user who uses a non compliant mobile device, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority will auto-pair all such IMEI’s with their cell numbers and hence these devices shall remain functional without the user facing any interruption or disturbance until 1^st December after which any new device which will be programmed with a non-standard IMEI will be considered an illegal device and will and shall not be allowed any mobile phone connectivity or service in the territory of Pakistan according to regulations imposed by PTA.

Moreover PTA is also on the forefront of creating awareness regarding this matter and has established a campaign which has the sole purpose of educating the people about the Initiative which is DIRBS. PTA does this by launching ads across various TV channels and are also sending informative messages regarding the DIRBS to more or less all of the mobile network subscribers in Pakistan.

Well now for all of the people who are still not aware of this, or are finding some sort of difficulty in understanding the concept we have got you covered. In order to know the status of you’re cellular device you are required to send your 15-digit IMIE number to 8484 using the SMS as the mode for communication. You may also check this status by going to the PTA official website links: www.dirbs.pta.gov.pk or you may simply download the DIRBS mobile phone application using the Google Play store.

Simply follow these two steps!

Dial *#06# from the dial pad of device and note down each 15-digit IMEI
IMEI is printed on the device box.

IMEI is printed on the inside of a device and can be viewed by removing the back cover/ battery.

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DIRBS system will send one of the following four responses to IMEI query as explained below:

Compliant/PTA Approved Device:The mobile device is PTA approved and legally imported into Pakistan
Device IMEI is Valid:The IMEI of this mobile device is valid as it is GSMA approved, but it is not PTA approved. To facilitate such users, PTA will auto register all such IMEIs which are observed on Network till 1st December, 2018, their status will be converted to compliant. A user in possession of such devices are advised to insert their local SIM card and do a voice or data activity so such Valid IMEI are observed on Pakistani mobile networks and subsequently listed within DIRBS system so user may continue to avail uninterrupted mobile services on such device(s).
Non-compliant Devices:This is not a PTA approved mobile device as IMEI on the device is either non-standard, duplicated etc. To ensure users of all such devices do not face any connectivity/service issues PTA will auto pair all such IMEIs, which are observed on mobile network till 1st December, 2018, with their mobile number so device shall remain operational till the useful life of device. A user in possession of such devices are advised to insert their local SIM card and do a voice or data activity so such non-compliant IMEI are observed on Pakistani mobile networks and subsequently listed within DIRBS system so user may continue to avail uninterrupted mobile services on such device(s).
Blocked devices: The IMEI is reported as stolen and not allowed for usage/services

Finally in the end we and PTA would request the masses that from 1^st December onwards please do check the IMEI status of a device before buying any device from any of the retailers or any previous owners. You can do this simply by sending the IMIE number through an SMS to 8484 or through the above mentioned website or via the application which can be downloaded form the Play store.