The Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC), with effect from next year, will ban the use of all phones smuggled into the country, said a senior TRC official. The move will ensure that only phones with the proper standards will be used by the public in future, TRC Chairman, Anusha Pelpita told the Sunday Times. “This will [...]

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TRC to impose ban on use of contraband phones next year

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The Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC), with effect from next year, will ban the use of all phones smuggled into the country, said a senior TRC official.

The move will ensure that only phones with the proper standards will be used by the public in future, TRC Chairman, Anusha Pelpita told the Sunday Times.

“This will also help avoid Health issues and be useful even in fighting crime,” he said.

He said that all phone importers need to register with the TRC, and if the phones are found to be fakes, permission will not be granted to register them.

He said Cabinet has approved the implementation of the proposal.

A National Equipment Identification Register will be set up under this plan to register the phones. This will be linked to the databases of the Registration of Persons and the Controller of Immigration.

Mr Pelpita believes that nearly 15 per cent of the phones currently used in the country are fakes.

“The scheme will come into operation next year and be fully implemented by the following year,” he said.

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