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Phones without IMEI numbers will be disconnected from tomorrow, December 1, 2009 across India. IMEI number prevents the use of stolen handsets for making calls and allows security agencies to track down a specific user. It is very important for security purpose.What is IMEI anyway?

The International Mobile Equipment Identity or IMEI (pronounced /aɪˈmiː/) is a number unique to every GSM and WCDMA and iDEN mobile phone, as well as some satellite phones. It is usually found printed inside the battery compartment of the phone. It can also be displayed on the screen of the phone by entering *#06# into the keypad.

Which models are going to die?
The low end Chinese phones that have flooded the market are going to be hit. According to one estimate there are 25 million such phones in the country.

What to do?
Readers who have a Chinese make phone need not panic. All they need to do is contact their mobile operator and ask them to implant an IMEI number on the phone.
Remember the government doesn’t hate Chinese phones, it only hates the phones that don’t have an IMEI. The cellular phone operator association of India had made provision to incorporate a valid IMEI into such Chinese handsets through the use of a software mechanism but the response hasn’t been on expected lines.

Read more from the sources: Wikipedia and DNA