ArmInfo.The introduction of the IMEI code system for mobile phones is not about control, but about trust. Nerses Yeritsyan, Director of the Information Systems Agency of Armenia, stated this in an interview with the Public Television of Armenia (PTA).
He noted that, given the significant scale of shadow mobile phone turnover, new legislative amendments will help bring the market out of the shadows, ensure a level playing field for businesses, and protect consumer rights.
Citing data from the State Revenue Committee, Yeritsyan noted that the share of shadow turnover is approximately 30-40%, and in the mobile phone segment, this figure could be several times higher.
He also refuted circulating reports that the law seeks to establish control over all users' phones. The head of the Foundation emphasized that the new regulations do not provide for any additional control mechanisms. Their purpose is simply to create a registry that will determine whether a phone was imported into the country legally. The registry will be linked to the customs registration system and will only contain device information, including its 15-digit IMEI code.
"There are several customs import regimes. If we're talking about legal entities engaged in professional activities, then when importing phones, they enter the relevant information into the registry. However, no information about the individuals to whom these phones will subsequently be sold is included.
If individuals import via mail or other delivery services, they declare the device at customs, after which the IMEI code is also entered into the registry," Yeritsyan said.
The law comes into force on January 1. Citizens who purchased phones before the law came into force will not be subject to any restrictions, as their devices' IMEIs have already been registered with telecom operators, and such phones will automatically be considered compliant with the new legislation.
If a phone is stolen, Yeritsyan noted, the device will be assigned a corresponding status in the registry, making its use virtually impossible not only in Armenia but also abroad. "Figuratively speaking, a phone will only be good for cracking nuts. The point of stealing phones will completely disappear," the head of the Foundation said.
As a reminder, the Armenian government approved draft amendments to the Law on Electronic Communications at its June 25 meeting, which provide for the introduction of a system for recording mobile phone IMEI codes.
Introducing the bill, Armenian Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan noted that the lack of an IMEI code control system facilitates the distribution of mobile phones with undeclared, counterfeit, or modified IMEI codes, leading to tax losses, distorted market competition, and increased technical security risks.
According to him, the introduction of a unified IMEI system will enable the comparison of data from customs authorities, telecom operators, and international registries, enabling the activation of only legally imported mobile phones. This will also reduce the illegal circulation of devices, strengthen government oversight, and improve public safety. In the context of the rapidly developing digital world, the implementation of such a system will contribute to the country's economic well-being, the prevention, detection, and resolution of crimes, and the protection of citizens' rights and freedoms.
The proposed legal regulation requires mandatory IMEI code registration upon legal import of a device into the country and also imposes restrictions on the modification and copying of IMEI codes and the activation of devices that have not cleared customs.
