TRCSL to Block Unapproved Mobile Phones in Sri Lanka
The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) has announced plans to introduce new software to detect and block unapproved mobile phones that are not registered with the commission.
TRCSL has urged the public to purchase only TRCSL-approved mobile devices with registered IMEI numbers, as non-registered devices will soon be blocked from telecommunication networks. However, this will not apply to IMEI-enabled devices connected before January 28, 2025.
Commenting on the new initiative, TRCSL Director General, Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Bandula Herath, said, “We kindly request the public not to purchase any mobile phones that are not approved by our institution. We will soon be implementing a new automated system to prevent the use of such unauthorized phones.”
He further explained the purpose of this move, stating, “The aim of this is to minimize the illegal activities that have occurred in our society due to unauthorized mobile phones and to protect the people who use mobile phones in the country. It is also expected to reduce anti-social activities carried out through unauthorized mobile phones and further strengthen the identification of individuals engaging in illegal transactions through mobile phones.”
Herath also noted that mobile phone prices could decrease in the future as legally approved devices become more widely available in the market.
The public is advised to verify TRCSL approval before purchasing mobile devices to avoid future connectivity issues.
