The proposed IMEI control system in Armenia, aimed at reducing the shadow market for mobile phones, requires a more detailed analysis and comparison with alternative approaches. This opinion was expressed by Tigran Jrbashyan, Director of Ameria Management Consulting Service.

According to him, the main problem of the illegal market lies not in the use of phones by citizens, but in the illegal import and subsequent sale of devices. In this regard, he believes that the key object of control should be trade turnover, not individual user devices.

The expert noted that international practice offers other mechanisms to combat the gray market, including digital labeling of goods, traceability of the supply chain from importer to end seller, and automatic linking of fiscal receipts to specific devices. He also mentioned tax and customs control based on risk analysis.

Jrbashyan separately pointed out that solutions for combating stolen phones already exist in the form of operator systems Equipment Identity Register and the international GSMA Device Registry database.

In his opinion, effective policy should not only strengthen control but also develop competition, improve service quality, and stimulate legal sales to make the official market more attractive to consumers.

He emphasized that optimal results are achieved not through strict restrictions, but by creating conditions under which purchasing devices in the legal sector becomes more profitable and safer.