BM Cell Phones In Indonesia Are Finally Dead Injected By The Government

Illustration. (Photo: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) control policy has officially hit the hammer as of April 18, 2020. With this policy in effect, Black Market (BM) cellphone users will receive notifications regarding the devices used.

In the period of accelerating the handling of the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, users of HKT devices (cellphones, handheld computers and tablets) will receive notifications and notifications regarding the IMEI status in stages from the mobile operators used within a period of approximately two weeks.

As previously circulated information, users of tablet and smartphone devices currently being actively used do not need to register individually.

"The implementation of restrictions on the use of mobile devices connected via cellular networks through IMEI control applies in the future. This means that people do not need to worry because devices that have been used and connected to the cellular network before April 18, 2020 will not be affected even though they are not registered in the IMEI database," he said. Director General of Resources and Equipment of Post and Information Technology of the Ministry of Communication and Information, Ismail in his official statement.

Ismail also said that devices that were active before April 18 when the policy was implemented, do not need to worry because they can still be connected to the cellular network until the device is damaged or no longer wants to be used. However, if the cellphone does not meet the requirements, aka illegal or BM then it will no longer be able to enjoy telecommunications services.

As for blocking BM cell phones, it will use a Whitelist scheme supported by Equipment Identity Register (EIR) technology which is equipped with data in the form of MSISDN (mobile subscriber integrated services digital network number), IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity), and user identities stored by operators. cellular.

"The whitelist system is in effect and the EIR in each cellular operator can be activated, and Central EIR in Industry can also be used on April 18, 2020," said the Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Johnny G Plate some time ago.

Later with this scheme, cellphones that are not registered with the IMEI in the EIR system database will be deactivated from the start of the purchase. The method applied is only illegal equipment and not BM that get signals from telecommunication operators.

Previously, Johnny also stated that there were three targets applied to the purpose of blocking BM cell phones, namely, "first to protect the domestic mobile phone industry, second to ensure the country's economy from the UN which is applied, if BM cell phones do not have taxes. Third, consumer protection. Do not let this handheld be unsafe for use by users, "explained Johnny.

For users who have yet to check the 14 digit IMEI number on their cellphone, calm down, the government has also provided a site to check the IMEI of a cellphone, you just have to click on the following link https://imei.kemenperin.go.id/ then enter the number IMEI of your phone.

Hello #SobatKom! After April 18, 2020, the IMEI control rules for cellphones will apply. These rules will apply to phones purchased after that date. So, cellphones purchased before April 18 can still operate normally. # IMEI # StopBlackMarket pic.twitter.com/jmyCVCUUDx

- Ministry of Communication and Information (@kemkominfo) April 18, 2020

However, in support of PM Kominfo No. 1/2020 concerning Control of Telecommunication Equipment and / or Equipment Connected to Cellular Mobile Networks through IMEI Identification, XL and Telkomsel telecommunication service providers also have a special USSD feature to check IMEI on cellphones, whether registered or not.

For XL SIM Card users, simply press * 123 * 817 # on the phone call menu, then select the Registration Imei menu. Next, you will receive an SMS with the message "Your IMEI and number are already registered. Make sure your number is always active with this IMEI."

Telkomsel customers can also do the same method by pressing USSD * 337 * 1 # from the phone menu, selecting Checking IMEI. Then if the IMEI of your cellphone has been registered, you will get an SMS containing the message "Find Address to buy a Mask. Congratulations your IMEI has been Registered."

As information that needs attention, if the public is going to purchase smartphones and other devices offline after April 18, 2020, the Ministry of Communication and Information calls on the public to ensure that the device has a valid IMEI and can be activated with a SIM card before making a payment.

If you make an online purchase, the marketplace has an obligation to provide a guarantee until the device is received and can be used by the buyer, it can be in the form of a refund or replacement of goods.