The resolve to bar all ‘fake’ phones – those that do not meet the minimum required standards set by UCC, has always been brewing. It finally looks like the officials at UCC have fully made up their minds to put this into effect. UCC is flipping the switch and it’s black out time for all fake and stolen phones.
UCC says that phones without an authentic International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), also known as the serial number will immediately be disconnected from any telecom network in Uganda. This includes the stolen phones whose serial numbers have been tampered with by “computer geniuses” downtown to make the tracing activity an impossible one. They will no longer be recognized by the system and hence won’t be able to access any telecom network.
The statement released by UCC didn’t have any kind words for fake and stolen phone holders. Part of it read,
“All Telecom operators shall prioritize the establishment and implementation of facilities on their respective networks to deny access to any subscriber whose equipment doesn’t comply with the Commission’s type approval requirements”
The first attempt to deactivate counterfeit phones was made in September 2012 with July 1st, 2013 as the deadline. The timeline for the blackout is not yet set but UCC looks firm in its statements and it might be sooner than you would expect.
UCC had earlier in its new directives to Telecom companies advised them to expedite arrangements for establishment and activation of the CEIR (Central Equipment Identification Registration) in Uganda. It’s a database that contains the IMEI of all devices that use a given mobile network. There will be a sieve that captures each IMEI on the CEIR to check authenticity. If the IMEI is found to be fake, the handset will then lose connection to the network.
Check your Serial number
Here’s is how you can check if your serial number is authentic and you’ll still get connection when UCC switches off fake phones.
Instructions:
1. On your mobile phone, type *#06#
A 15 digit code will be displayed on your screen for each line you have in your phone. e.g. if your mobile phone has a provision for two simcards, you will see two 15 digit codes. This code is called an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) code.
2. Head to the UCC web portal and enter the 15 digit IMEI code in the box below and press “Verify My Phone”. The Model, Manufacturer and Frequency Bands of the phone corresponding with the IMEI code will be displayed for you to compare and verify a match.
Also, UCC will soon reactivate the code 8883 for those who cannot access the Internet. Here you input your IMEI to verify its authenticity.
If the IMEI information matches your handset, you are safe from being switched off from the network.
Because we believe that prevention is better than cure, check out our guide on how to avoid buying a stolen phone if you are planning to go out to buy a used phone anywhere in Uganda.
