PTA launches system to curb illegal mobile imports, improve security situation

ISLAMABAD, May 10: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Thursday launched a unique Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) to curb illegal imports, facilitate legitimate device importers and improve overall security situation.

The system, launched in collaboration with 3G Technologies, will be implemented to automatically identify sub-standard, fake and illegally imported mobile phones, register and block non-compliant devices on mobile phone networks.

In this regard a ceremony was held here at PTA Headquarters and attended by Chairman PTA, Muhammad Naveed, Abdul Samad, Member Compliance and Enforcement PTA, Executive Director 3G Technologies, IT and telecom industry experts, CEOs of telecom companies, and media community.

Member Compliance & Enforcement gave presentation on DIRBS on the occasion. Addressing the ceremony, Chairman PTA said the Authority was cognizant of telecom consumers' needs and taking number of steps to facilitate them in resolving their issues.

Launch of this new service is yet another evidence of PTA's sincerity towards its vision of protection of telecom consumers and their rights.

The Chairman said PTA has always been engaged in facilitating telecom consumers with best telecom services along with due protection of their rights.

The Chairman said the statistics of telecom growth in Pakistan were evident of the satisfaction level of telecom consumers with quality of telecom services provided to them.

He said today the mobile operators have increased this coverage to over 65 per cent of population. Broadband subscribers that stood on 1.3 million till 2014 with limited speed offerings today has crossed a milestone of 50 million (2018) with mobile broadband speed crossing 20 Mbs (download) and fixed broadband speed crossing 100 Mbps (download).

It is pertinent to mention here that, through Device Verification System (DVS) telecom consumers can verify authenticity of their mobile devices in line with PTA regulations via SMS to 8484 and to check the status of IMEI log on www.dirbs.pta.gov.pk or download DIRBS android mobile app form google and apple play store. (APP)