After the official rules for blocking cellphones via IMEI, stolen cellphones have no signal at all
The three ministers have officially signed the regulation on blocking illegal cell phones (black market/BM) via IMEI numbers in Jakarta.
Although the main focus of this regulation is to eradicate the large number of BM cellphones on the market, this regulation is considered useful for users whose cellphones are stolen or lost.
This is stated in Ministerial Regulation (Permen) Kominfo number 11 of 2022 regarding Control of Telecommunication Equipment and/or Devices connected to Cellular Networks Through International Identification of Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI).
Stolen Phone No Signal Available After IMEI Validation Rules Apply
This is precisely stated in the first paragraph of article 9 which reads:
Users can submit an application to the manager of the National IMEI Management System through the Operator so that the IMEI of Telecommunication Tools and/or Equipment reported as lost and/or stolen to be included in the Black List.
This means that those who experience a lost or stolen cell phone can report the loss information to the operator service provider. Later the operators will enter the IMEI of the phone into the black list.
Furthermore, through the identification of the IMEI number, the operator will block the stolen cell phone. So that the thief can’t use the phone or can’t connect to the cellular network.
However, the stolen phone may still be able to connect to non-cellular networks such as WiFi. But don’t worry, with the cellular network being blocked, at least the usability value of the cell phone will drop drastically. Automatically no one wants to buy the stolen phone if they want to sell it.
Blocks can be reopened if the phone has been found
Blocks can also be reopened by the rightful owner at any time if he finds the stolen or lost cellphone. The trick is to apply for the IMEI of the device to the operator who has blocked the phone.
This is clearly stated in the second paragraph of Article 9 of the Minister of Communication and Information Technology number 11 of 2022.
In the event that the Telecommunication Tools and/or Equipment reported as lost and/or stolen have been recovered, the User may submit an application to the National IMEI System manager through the Operator to remove the IMEI from the Black List.
As is known, the IMEI number consists of 15 digits that are already available on the device used as an identification tool when connected to a cellular network.
The blocking of BM cellphones is carried out by the operator by matching the IMEI with devices connected to the network with the official database of cellphones that have been stored.
If the IMEI number of the cellphone is not found in the government database because it is through an illegal channel, then the device will be blocked, that is, it is not allowed to connect to the cellular network.
Now how to check the IMEI of a cellphone, the government has also provided a special site to check the IMEI of a registered cellphone or not. For more details, you can read how to check phone IMEI.
This regulation on blocking cellphones via IMEI numbers will take effect after 6 months from signing. It can be estimated that this regulation will take effect on April 18, 2022.