The Communication Commission of Kenya, CCK, has maintained that it will not extend the September 2012 deadline for switching off non-genuine handsets, used widely across the country.
The communication regulator has confirmed that “no one should expect an extension of the grace period,” reported The Star.
“There is no compelling reason that warrants extension because careful consideration has been given to all technical issues raised in the past,” CCK acting Director General, Francis Wangusi was quoted saying.
This implies that come September 30, all those in possession of grey handsets will be locked out of the mobile network.
To ensure that no one claims that they did not know the authenticity of their phones, CCK launched a campaign that will allow handset owners check their handset International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers against a database of original phones.
This they can check by sending an SMS with the IMEI number to a given short code, and receive the status of their phones. The IMEI number is a unique identification code for electronic devices, and with this, operators will be able to identify valid subscribers, and also be in a position to trace criminals in case the need arises.
Despite having postponed the switch-off on several occasions, this time round, CCK seems adamant on switching off the fake phones.
An estimated 3 million counterfeit phones are used in Kenya, according to CCK.
