CEIR is an initiative
A CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register) is a database that blacklists handsets. If a device’s ESN or IMEI number is listed on the CEIR, it is not supposed to work on member service providers’ networks; only paying members may access the database.
CEIR systems help curb the market for counterfeit mobile devices. They also discourage mobile phone theft and protect consumer interests.
What is CEIR?
The CEIR or Central Equipment Identity Register is a system which consists of a database where all mobile communication devices that are allowed to use the network are recorded. It also contains records of all devices that are banned from the network because they are reported as lost or stolen.
The main advantage of the CEIR is that it helps in preventing theft by enabling the service provider to block the use of stolen mobile devices in their own networks, making them useless (bricketed) for thieves. This is done by putting the device’s IMEI number on a blacklist that prevents the use of it in all TSPs and Licensed Service Areas (LSA).
To help users report their lost or stolen devices, the CEIR also provides them with a way to unblock their phone from the list by uploading an FIR and an ID proof. In addition, the system will generate a traceability report that will be submitted to the police station where the lost or stolen device was reported.
How to report a stolen mobile?
If you have lost your mobile, there is a new website called CEIR which can help you block it and help police track it. It is a government portal launched by the Department of Telecommunications to curtail fake devices, discourage mobile theft, protect customers and facilitate law enforcement authorities for lawful interception.
It works by connecting all cellular operators’ IMEI databases and blocking phones that have been blacklisted by any of them. This will make it difficult for people to buy stolen phones and will discourage the use of counterfeit devices in India.
The initiative has been in the works since 2017 and is expected to launch soon across the country, says the DoT. This will not only curb the fake mobile market but also reduce health risks from counterfeit handsets.
First, you need to submit an FIR and collect a copy of the report from your police station. Once you have a copy of the report, you can fill out this form and upload a few documents. These include a copy of the FIR, identity proof and if possible, a mobile purchase invoice.
How to unblock a stolen mobile?
In India, each unique mobile handset has an IMEI number assigned to it. This IMEI number helps the authorities track lost or stolen mobiles.
To make this process easier for users, the government has launched a new portal called CEIR. This web portal allows users to block their stolen or lost mobiles, and also help police trace them.
The first step is to get the phone’s IMEI number and blacklist it on the CEIR portal. You can do this by visiting the website and submitting the form with all the required details.
After submitting the form, you’ll receive a Request ID, which can be used to check the status of your request and unblock it in the future.
Next, prepare all the documents – copy of police report and identity proof. If possible, you can also provide a mobile purchase invoice.
How to check the status of a stolen mobile?
One of the most important things to do after a phone has been stolen is to check its status. By simply inputting a phone’s unique IMEI number into a mobile phone checking service such as MobiCHECK, you can find out its most recent status. In addition to being able to tell you what you have, this nifty little tool can also point out the top ten IMEI numbers in your area.
This nifty little device is a collaborative effort by the wireless industry, in particular the CTIA and GSMA. The aforementioned device utilises the latest telephony technology to offer an impressively large and robust database of mobile devices, including up to 10 years of mobile phone and tablet data and more than 10 million cellular tower records, as well as the world’s most accurate registry of reported stolen and lost devices. This means that a reputable IMEI checking service like MobiCHECK can provide you with the most up to date information on the status of your mobile phone, tablet or wearable device.
