Combating Counterfeit and
Substandard ICT Devices
(Geneva, Switzerland, 17-18 November 2014)
IMEI Ecosystem & its Role in
Combatting Use of Counterfeit Devices
James Moran,
Security Director, GSM Association
jmoran@gsma.com
Geneva, Switzerland, 17-18 November 2014
Introducing GSMA
Level 1 text to appear in Verdana
font, Point size 32
Founded in 1987 by 15 operators committed to the joint
development of a cross border digital system for mobile
communications.
Became the global trade group for the mobile industry,
representing the vast majority of mobile phone networks across
the world
Now encompassing commercial, public policy and technical
initiatives, ensuring mobile services work globally
The Association’s members now serve more than 6 billion
customers
More than 800 operator Members across 220 countries
Over 200 Associate Members (manufacturers and suppliers)
Success built on open standards, interoperability and scale
Geneva, Switzerland, 17-18 November 2014
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Identifying Mobile Devices
International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI) defined in
3GPP specifications to uniquely identify mobile devices
IMEI originally introduced to prevent non-type approved
devices from accessing mobile networks
Type Approval Advisory Board (consisting of type approval
and government officials) endorsed IMEI as satisfactory
serial number
Type approval regime disbanded in 1999 and replaced by
industry initiated voluntary certification scheme
IMEI is globally recognised and government
approved mechanism to uniquely identify devices
IMEI is the only universally applicable and necessary
device identifier
Geneva, Switzerland, 17-18 November 2014
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IMEI Characteristics
TAC
IMEI No. 15 Digits
NNXXXXXX
Serial
No
ZZZZZZ
Check
Digit
A
TAC
Type Allocation Code, can generate 1 million IMEIs
NN
Reporting Body Identifier
XXXXXX
ME Type Identifier defined by the Reporting Body
ZZZZZZ
Allocated by the Reporting Body but assigned per ME by the
manufacturer
Check digit, defined as a function of all other IMEI digits
A
Geneva, Switzerland, 17-18 November 2014
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Obtaining IMEIs
Type Allocation refers to the process by
which mobile devices are allocated a Type
Allocation Code (TAC) and an IMEI
number range
The TAC is an 8 digit element of the IMEI
and identifies the device make and model
TACs are allocated, as part of the IMEI
number ranges, to device manufacturers
Geneva, Switzerland, 17-18 November 2014
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History of TAC Allocation
TACs originally administered and funded by
national approval authorities
Abolition of Type Approval in 1999 required
industry to establish alternative regime
GSMA given responsibility in April 2000 for IMEI
number range and TAC allocation
GSMA formally appointed the Global Decimal
Administrator (GDA) in 2004:
Appointing regional bodies to allocate TAC/IMEI ranges
Maintaining list of allocated TACs/IMEIs
Distributing list of allocated ranges via IMEI Database
Provide expertise and advice on allocations
GSMA is the sole allocation authority for 3GPP
compliant devices
Geneva, Switzerland, 17-18 November 2014
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TAC Allocation Principles
GSMA must adhere to defined principles:
Process must be open, fair and transparent that allocates TACs
in a non-discriminatory manner and with the minimum of
delay
Process must allocate unique TACs that can be universally
used by manufacturers to ensure global network access
Allocation of finite TAC resources must be done in an efficient
manner that ensures future availability
There should be one single defined process
Process should be accessible on-line
Database containing TAC allocations should be confidentially
maintained
Process and tools should be compatible with existing systems
All requirements satisfied by GSMA
Geneva, Switzerland, 17-18 November 2014
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GSMA Responsibilities
Coordinate the overall allocation of equipment identifiers
Appoint Regional Bodies to allocate equipment identifiers
Define and maintain equipment identifier allocation
processes
Ensure adherence to agreed allocation processes
Resolve disputes related to the allocation of equipment
identifiers
Preserve confidentiality of data pertaining to the TAC
allocations
Maintain list of TAC allocations in IMEI Database
Distribute Model Summary report (MSR) to eligible parties
Provide expertise and advice on allocation and IMEI issues
Work with all stakeholders to build and preserve integrity of
the IMEI
Geneva, Switzerland, 17-18 November 2014
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IMEI Database
MNOs
LEAs
Amazon
Hosting
Stakeholders
Customs
Regulators



Global repository of all TAC and IMEI number ranges
allocated to device manufacturers
Operationally available 24 X 7
Enabler for customs and law enforcement agencies
Device Database Report
Distributed by GSMA for the benefit of all stakeholders
Facilitates the identification of devices and device
characteristics
Underpins efforts to control devices that attach to mobile
networks and to reduce value by blocking spurious devices
Facilitates identification of counterfeit devices and grey
market products
Deters device crime and supports prosecutions, device
recovery, laundering prevention, etc.
Critical to enhancing consumer education and protection
TAC
35436106
35940405
86519802
86541102
35160506
35166506
35418606
Marketing Name Manufacturer (or)Band
Applicant Radio Interface
Brand Name Model Name Operating NFC
System
Bluetooth
WLAN Device Type
Archos A5
Archos SA
1 SIM 1 MicroSIM,
3GPP2
GSMArchos
1800, GSM 1900,
A5 GSM 900, GSM850
Android(GSM800),
Y
Y WCDMA
Y
FDD
Mobile
BandPhone
I, WCDMA FDD
HTC 0P6M100
HTC CorporationGSM 1800, GSM
3GPP2
1900, GSM
HTC 900, GSM850
0P6M100
(GSM800),Android
LTE FDD BAND
Y
17,
Y LTEYFDD BAND
Smartphone
2, LTE FDD BAND 4,
MI 2014022
Xiaomi Inc
2 SIM, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac,
3GPP2 MI 802.11a/b/g/n 2.4GHz,
2014022Bluetooth,
Android Bluetooth
N Y 3.0,
Y Bluetooth
Smartphone
4.0, DC-HSDPA, FM
MI3
Xiaomi Inc
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac,
3GPP2
Bluetooth,
MI
EDGE, FM Receiver,
2013061 Android
GPRS, GPS,Y GSMY 1800,YGSM 1900,
Smartphone
GSM 900, GSM850 (
Samsung SM-N750Samsung Korea GSM 1800, GSM
CDMA
1900, GSM
Samsung
900, GSM850
SM-N750
(GSM800),Android
WCDMA FDD
Y Band
Y I, WCDMA
Y
Smartphone
FDD Band II, WCDMA F
Samsung SM-N750Samsung Korea GSM 1800, GSM
CDMA
1900, GSM
Samsung
900, GSM850
SM-N750
(GSM800),Android
WCDMA FDD
Y Band
Y I, WCDMA
Y
Smartphone
FDD Band II, WCDMA F
G2
LG Electronics Inc.
802.11a/b/g/nCDMA
2.4GHz,LG
CDMA2000, GSM
LG-LS980
1800, GSMAndroid
1900, GSMY900,YGSM850
Y (GSM800),
Smartphone
LTE FDD BAND 25
Geneva, Switzerland, 17-18 November 2014
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Device Database Users
Network operators – over 700 GSMA members
National Regulatory authorities – 14
Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Egypt, Gambia, India, Jordan,
Mauritius, Pakistan, Portugal, Rwanda, Turkey, Uganda, UAE
Law enforcement agencies – 14
Australia, Canada, Channel Islands, Czech Republic, Finland, France,
Germany, Israel, Netherlands, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland,
United Kingdom, USA
Customs agencies – 2
Italy, Mauritius
Geneva, Switzerland, 17-18 November 2014
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Conclusions and Recommendations
We already have a
standards based identifier
– the IMEI
IMEIs allocated to
applicants in accordance
with defined processes
Effective solutions already
exist that use the IMEI to
identify and block devices
No demonstrable failure on
the part of the IMEI
system
Not enough use currently
being made of the
available data
Geneva, Switzerland, 17-18 November 2014
The primacy of the IMEI
as a device identifier
should be recognised
Industry investment in
IMEI needs to be
supported
GSMA willing to support
efforts to combat
counterfeits – use us!
Governments and
stakeholders should
come take our data –
it’s free!
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