With network coverage growing
stronger and myriad options of mobile phones available in the market, the uptake
of mobile technology is on an upward swing. Given the ubiquity of mobile phones
and their use among a broad cross-section of the global population, many are
harnessing the potential of mobile technology to bridge knowledge gaps and
alleviate poverty.
It would not be wrong to say that the mobile phone is conquering the world. As
the proliferation of mobile phones continue, the global challenge to curb
counterfeit, fake and sub-standard mobile devices haslargely remained a question
mark. A 2017 study conducted by the EU’s Intellectual Property Office (EU IPO)
stated that 180 million fake mobile phones are sold globally per annum. The
multi-billion-dollar stolen and counterfeit phone business has had widespread
repercussions for consumers, governments, and tech sector alike.
Over the past decade, extraordinary and rapid progress has been made in bringing
affordable broadband services to all in Pakistan. Widening network coverage and
the increasing adoption of smartphones are helping bring mobile internet
services to people across the country. Today, there are over 114 million
broadband subscribers in Pakistan with mobile being the dominant form of digital
connectivity in Pakistan. Recognizing the global challenge of sub-standard and
illegal phones, and the multitude of issues such as security concerns, network
quality issues and tax evasion, PTA undertook a comprehensive initiative and
implemented the first of its kind, world’s first open-source, full-fledged -
Device Identification, Registration and Blocking System (DIRBS) in 2019. The
system is designed to be able to identify non-standard (fake, replica) mobile
phone IMEIs, mobile phones connected to networks that have a cloned or
duplicated IMEI as well as ensure mobile phones being imported are via formal
channels, therefore helping in curbing the informal import channels in Pakistan.
Since implementation of the System, the use of fake and sub-standard mobile
devices being imported via informal channels has been significantly curbed.
Consequently, there has been an increase in government revenues as well as
allowing a level playing field for the industry to do fair business.For the
successful implementation of the System, detailed processes were developed with
stakeholders including mobile network operators. The System is integrated with
all the relevant government departments. Whenever any IMEI is latched on any
mobile networks, DIRBS identifies it as either compliant, non-compliant, valid
but not registered (tax not paid) or stolen and notifies the subscribers if
required.
With the implementation of DIRBS, revenue collection via legal import of devices
has exceeded past PKR 140 Billion (inclusive of the PKR 25 billion collected by
Federal Board of Revenue in individual mobile registration).
In the light of this tremendous impact of DIRBS, Mobile Manufacturing Policy was
introduced to encourage and attract manufacturers to Pakistan and establish
their plants. PTA issued Mobile Device Manufacturing (MDM) Regulations in 2021.
Under the Regulations, 30 companies’ authorization for mobile manufacturing
hasbeen granted by PTA. Some of the world renowned brands e.g. Samsung, Xiaomi,
Nokia, Oppo, Vivo, Techno, Infinix, ZTE etc. are being manufactured in Pakistan
with over 24 million phones manufactured in 2021 only. For the 1st time in
history of Pakistan, mobile phone import dropped significantly with major supply
of mobile phones to local markets & consumers was through local mobile phone
manufacturing.
Mobile device manufacturing is a key milestone in Telecom sector development of
Pakistan with far reaching impact in terms of affordability for consumers,
industry development, job creation in this skilled area and for export of
‘Manufactured in Pakistan’ mobile devices to other markets that can contribute
significantly towards economic growth for Pakistan.
With huge growth in legally imported mobile phones predicted to continue, the
opportunities within the medium are endless. Pakistan takes pride in
implementing DIRBS system successfully and playing an instrumental role to solve
a global problem by successfully identifying duplicated/cloned/ non-standard
mobile phones IMEIs and stopping them from connecting to networks.This has also
helped in improving the quality of service of local mobile networks. Suffice to
say, DIRBS has also curbed informal import and enabled legal import which has
helped promote mobile phone industry with availability of a fair level playing
field for all entities to do business in Pakistan.