Sri Lanka’s telecommunications regulator has announced plans to implement a nationwide International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) registration system, with unregistered mobile devices to be blocked from networks starting January 29, 2025. The initiative follows similar IMEI registration mandates implemented in other countries, including Tajikistan’s recent program which has demonstrated the effectiveness of such systems in regulating mobile device usage.
The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) is introducing the measure to prevent the use of non-registered IMEI-enabled devices within the country. Under the new system, all mobile devices must be registered to be discoverable by local mobile operators. The approach matches growing global concerns about mobile device security and the need for stronger authentication measures in telecommunications networks.
Users whose devices are not already connected to Sri Lankan networks before the January deadline will need to register their phone’s IMEI through TRCSL’s online platform. The commission has established a web-based Device Clearance System to handle registration requests from vendors, corporate users, and individuals. The digital infrastructure represents a significant upgrade to Sri Lanka’s telecommunications regulatory framework.
The Device Clearance System will manage various approval processes, including import control, customs clearance, and type approvals. The initiative implements IMEI whitelisting, which allows only devices with registered IMEI numbers to operate on mobile networks. The security measure is particularly important given recent concerns about network vulnerabilities, as highlighted by CISA’s recent mobile security guidance following telecommunications breaches.
To protect user data, the TRCSL has implemented security measures including encryption and two-factor authentication for both the IMEI Registration and Device Clearance systems. The commission also conducts regular security audits of the platforms. The security protocols reflect growing awareness of the need for robust protection in mobile device registration systems, particularly as similar initiatives in other countries have faced privacy concerns, such as the challenges to Mexico’s biometric mobile user registry.
The implementation represents part of a broader effort to enhance mobile device security and ensure regulatory compliance within Sri Lanka’s telecommunications sector. The program follows global trends in telecommunications regulation, with countries increasingly implementing stricter device authentication and registration requirements to combat fraud and enhance network security.
Sources: Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka
Follow Us