Armenian authorities are continuing preparations for the implementation of a unified registration system for mobile phone IMEI codes. According to Nerses Yeritsyan, Director of the Information Systems Agency of Armenia, the main goal of the project is to combat illegally imported smartphones and reduce the shadow market. The government has already approved the relevant bill, which is now awaiting parliamentary review.
According to Yeritsyan, a centralized register of legal IMEI numbers will be created, to which mobile operators and other market participants will have access. When activating a device, they will be able to check whether a specific smartphone is authorized for use. If the IMEI is not in the database, the operator will not be able to register the device on the network until the legalization procedure is completed. However, the principle of mobile communication will not change – the innovation only concerns checking the legality of the devices' origin.
The Information Systems Agency emphasizes that the system is being developed in accordance with the requirements of the Eurasian Economic Union, which in 2023 recommended that member countries create centralized IMEI databases as part of customs regulation. The project was also discussed with business representatives. According to the developers, in addition to combating illegal imports, the new system will reduce cybersecurity risks associated with the use of devices of unknown origin.