Firms to switch off fake phones by next year

By Macharia Kamau

Mobile subscribers holding counterfeit handsets have just a little over three months to acquire genuine handsets, or risk having their SIM cards deactivated.

This comes as efforts to stem the use of counterfeit phones gathers momentum, and industry players agree on a plan to phase out counterfeit handsets by end of this year.

A resolution made yesterday, following a meeting by industry players, set December 31 as the deadline by which subscribers using counterfeit handsets had to replace their phones, or risk deactivation.

The meet convened by the Communications Commission of Kenya also resolved that from next month, new SIM cards would only be activated if they are running on genuine handsets.

"Use of counterfeit handsets shall be phased out of the market by the end of the year. Consumers using counterfeit mobile handsets, therefore, have (tentatively) up to December 31 to replace their mobile phones or risk de-activation," said a statement signed by CCK’s corporate secretary, John Omo.

The date set yesterday is, however, tentative and a meeting of the technical teams from the four mobile operators, equipment manufacturers and CCK will be held on Wednesday next week to establish how suitable and practical the date is.

"To stem build up in the number of counterfeit mobile handsets in the market, there is need to stop the activation of new SIM cards using counterfeit mobile handsets. In this regard, no new SIM cards would be allowed to operate in counterfeits handsets tentatively as from September 30."

Reports that CCK has been contemplating ordering operators to deactivate subscribers whose cell phones do not have a recognisable International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) has kicked up storm, with a segment of consumers arguing that these are the only handsets that are within their reach. IMEI is a number unique to a particular handset and is used by service providers to identify valid devices.

Other than consumer concerns about reach and whether they will be able to replace handsets in the three-month period, there are also issues as to whether there is a legal framework that backs the move. Operators have in the past refused to ‘switch off’ subscribers who failed to register in the SIM card registration exercise, citing lack of a legal framework that would protect them from legal suits from consumers.

"There is need for public awareness to be undertaken to sensitise consumers on the rationale behind the phasing out of counterfeit mobile handsets, the dangers associated with use of counterfeits," said Omo

"The participating Government agencies re-affirmed their commitment to continue working together to stem the importation, and use, of counterfeit handsets in an effective and sustainable manner."