The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) has launched strategic sessions aimed at tackling the influx of counterfeit telecommunications equipment and curbing the rising cases of mobile phone theft.
At the heart of these efforts is the planned establishment of a Central Identification Registry (CIR). This registry will require importers, retailers, and consumers to register the unique 15-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of every mobile phone.
The IMEI, which identifies the phone’s make, model, and memory variant, also records whether a device has been lost or stolen.
Under the proposed framework, service providers will be mandated to verify CIR registration before activating SIM cards. Once activated, the IMEI will be linked directly to the user’s SIM card.
This measure is designed to strengthen national security and protect consumers. If a phone is stolen, owners can report it to the CIR, leading to the device being immediately blocked from use — a strong deterrent against theft and illegal resale.
The CIR will also be integrated into the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) Device Registry, based in the United Kingdom.
This international database connects more than 750 mobile network operators worldwide, providing intelligence on registered devices and their status, including whether they are active or reported stolen.
While the regulation is still in development, the LTA emphasized that these measures will eventually phase out fake devices from the Liberian market and significantly reduce mobile phone theft, aligning Liberia’s telecom sector with global best practices.
- Tech News Africa
