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Discover Unsupported Mobile Phones in Egypt

Discover Unsupported Mobile Phones in Egypt
5 months ago

Mobile Devices That Will Stop Working in Egypt: Details of the Decision and Its Impact

In a surprising move, Mohamed Talaat, Head of the Mobile Division at the Cairo Chamber of Commerce, announced an important decision regarding mobile devices entering Egypt through unofficial channels. This decision raises concerns among many phone users, as devices that have entered the country without paying the required fees may face the risk of stopping working starting in 2025. The decision includes all devices that do not have a serial number approved by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA), meaning that devices lacking official registration may become unusable in the future.

Regulatory Actions by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority

In a phone interview with the program "Hadret Al-Mowaten," hosted by journalist Sayed Ali on "Al-Hadath Al-Youm" channel, Talaat pointed out that the NTRA has begun taking necessary actions to implement this decision. He explained that mobile manufacturers in Egypt had raised concerns about many devices entering the country illegally, which prompted these actions.

He also added that a meeting with NTRA officials was scheduled to discuss these actions, but the meeting was postponed due to officials' involvement in an exhibition.

Mobile Devices Affected by the Regulations: "Unregistered Phones"

One of the key points mentioned was that the decision includes devices that do not have a "serial number," the unique identifier that is registered with the NTRA. Every mobile device entering Egypt must be officially registered in the NTRA's database, and the applicable fees must be paid.

Future Possibilities: Additional Fees for Unregistered Devices

Although the decision indicates that these devices may stop working in Egypt, Talaat suggested that owners of devices imported without official registration may be required to pay additional fees. However, he emphasized that these matters are still under discussion, and it is too early to determine the implementation details or whether the fees will be fixed or handled in another manner.

Examples of Devices That May Be Affected by the Decision

Some devices that may be impacted by this decision include phones brought through unofficial channels such as the gray market or personal imports that bypass legal channels. Examples of such devices include:

  • Phones from Unknown Brands: Devices manufactured in lesser-known countries may be subject to these regulations, as they may not have an approved serial number.

  • Used Phones Imported from Abroad: Phones imported from other markets, such as China or India, that are not officially registered in Egypt may also be affected.

How the Decision to Block Phones in Egypt Will Be Implemented

The decision will be carried out through regulatory measures led by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA), focusing on several key steps to ensure effective implementation. These steps include:

1. Blocking Unregistered Devices:

  • Any mobile device in Egypt that does not have a unique identifier (Serial Number) officially registered in the NTRA database will be blocked from operation.
  • Devices that entered the country through unofficial channels or without paying the required fees will not be usable on local communication networks.

2. Strict Verification Measures:

  • Advanced systems will be employed to verify the identity of every device connected to the network.
  • Any device not matching the NTRA database will be automatically disconnected from the network.

3. User Notifications:

  • Warning messages are expected to be issued to users with unregistered devices, urging them to correct their status before the decision is enforced.
  • Users may be given the opportunity to pay overdue fees and register their devices before the final deadline.

4. Imposing Additional Fees:

  • Users will be required to pay registration fees or fines for devices imported through illegal means.
  • This step could serve as an alternative to fully blocking the devices.

5. Coordination with Telecom Operators:

  • Local telecom operators will collaborate with the NTRA to enforce the decision across their networks.
  • Unregistered devices may be denied access to mobile networks.

6. Setting a Final Deadline:

  • The announced deadline is the beginning of 2025, giving users and companies a grace period to comply with the regulations.

Impact of Implementation:

  • The decision is expected to reduce the prevalence of illegal devices and bolster the local economy by supporting officially imported and manufactured devices.
  • However, it may pose challenges for users who own personally imported devices without being aware of the regulations.

Conclusion: The Future of Unregistered Devices in Egypt

Undoubtedly, this decision will have significant implications for the Egyptian market, as owners of unregistered phones will need to take the necessary actions either to register their devices or face the possibility of them becoming inoperative in the future. However, for now, the matter is still under review, and all details are expected to be finalized in upcoming meetings with the NTRA.