- It will be a central depository or database of all mobile phones connected to networks across India.
- Every mobile network provider in India has an Equipment Identity Register (EIR), or a database of the phones connected to its network.
- These EIRs will now share information with a single central database, i.e CEIR.
- CEIR will have information on the Device’s :
- International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number.
- Model
- Version
Equipment Identity Register
The Equipment Identity Register (EIR) is a database that contains all the IMEI or Electronic Serial Number (ESN). IMEI is a unique number attached to all the handsets. These numbers are attached to the registered service provider. The following are the type of lists in the EIR database:
White List
The White List contains all the authorised IMEI numbers that are allowed to access the network.
Grey List
The Grey List contains all the authorised IMEI numbers that are kept for observation to track the number.
Black List
The Black List contains all the unauthorised IMEI numbers that are
Objectives of CEIR
- Discourage mobile theft, identify fraudulent mobile market and protect consumer interest
- To centralise the database for identifying and blocking the lost, stolen or illegal mobile phones/networks
- To track the lost or stolen mobile phones through IMEI numbers even if the SIM cards are changed or disabled
- Create an infrastructure to provide the services to track the mobile devices
- Create an infrastructure to access GSMA’s database to check the authentication of the mobile device
- To identify duplicate IMEI numbers, cloned, reprogrammed stolen or unauthorised devices
Services of CEIR
- Block the Stolen or Lost Mobile device
- Unblock the Found Mobile
- Check the Request Status
- IMEI Verification
- Mobile APP
- Feedback
Documents Required to Block the Mobile Device
- FIR Copy
- Invoice of the Phone
- Identity Proof
- Alternative phone number
Blocking a Lost or Stolen Mobile Device
Step 1: File a report with the Police. Acquire the FIR copy to upload in the CEIR portal
Step 2: Open the official webpage of CEIR
Step 3: Click on CEIR Services > Block Stolen/Lost Mobile
Step 4: Provide details about the lost phone such as mobile number, IMEI numbers, model of the device and invoice of the mobile
Step 5: Provide the details on the place lost and upload the FIR copy ( Provision for adding more complaint can also be made)
Step 6: Provide personal information along with a copy of Identity proof
Step 7: Provide a mobile number to receive OTP. In the case of acquiring the same number, a duplicate number can be acquired.
Step 8: Provide the OTP and click on Submit
Step 9: Note the request ID to provide details for unblocking the mobile device
FAQs
Limitations in the Previous Model of TRAI?
when a mobile handset is stolen, the user blocks the IMEI number by calling to the network operator service. This procedure blocks the phone but does not stop from using the phone. The service provider ensures that the network is not misused. But the lost phone was accessible after inserting a different SIM card. This was observed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the limitations associated with the existing model. Hence, the DoT launched CEIR with a revised model to track the lost or stolen mobiles even if the SIM cards are changed.
International Mobile Equipment Identity?
- Every phone or mobile broadband device has this unique 15 digit code that precisely identifies the device.
- Mobile phone manufacturers assign IMEI numbers to each device based on ranges allotted to them by the Global System for Mobile Communications Association.
- Dual SIM phones will have two IMEI numbers.