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Call to boycott illegal handsets

CHANDIGARH: Supporting the Department of Telecom directive to bar services to illegal or unbranded handsets by November 30, the Indian Cellular Association has appealed to both consumers and traders to desist from purchasing and indulging in the transaction of such devices.

Highlighting the need for curbing the proliferation of unbranded and counterfeit mobile handsets and accessories, Association president Pankaj Mohindroo said, “India’s telecom and mobility growth story has attracted world attention as it becomes one of the fastest growing mobile markets recording sales of over one crore mobile phones and an average of 10 million new connections every month. It is important to promote responsible growth and address key issues emanating from the proliferation of fake handsets.”

It is widely known that unbranded mobile phones, after import, disappear in the grey market without any record of movement or billing since there is no after-sale services offered or demanded.

“An unbranded market, accounting for 30 per cent sale in each State, has been a challenge for the industry and the government alike. Telecom is perhaps the poster boy of the Indian reforms story. But, a growing unbranded segment can negate this growth and retard the progressive impact of a thriving industry. The ramifications extend to even more critical areas including national security, in addition to consumers’ welfare and safety. ICA committed to raise awareness about the issue and completely eliminate this malaise by the DOT deadline of November 30,” he added.

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