Science and Technology
In News: With rising cases of mobile phone snatching in the national capital, the Delhi Police is now planning to close ranks with internet service providers and the department of telecommunications to block stolen or robbed phones.
- This will be done by using the device’s International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number.
What is IMEI number?
- The International Mobile Equipment Identity or IMEI is a unique number that is used to identify a device on a mobile network.
- It has 15 digits, and is like phone’s unique identity.
- When a person use the internet or place a call through his/her cellular service provider, then this number is used to verify the identity of his/her device.
- If you have a dual SIM phone, then there will be two IMEI numbers, one for each slot.
- It is usually found on the back of phone, under the battery pack.
Are there any challenges?
- Mobile phones which don’t have a flexible operating system can be broken into.
- There is software that can change IMEI numbers of the phones as well.
- This might cause trouble for law enforcement agencies in blocking stolen devices
Source: Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Q.1) With reference to communication technologies, what is/are the difference/differences between LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and VoLTE (Voice over Long-Term Evolution)? (2019)
- LTE is commonly marketed as 3G and VoLTE is commonly marketed as advanced 3G.
- LTE is data-only technology and VoLTE is voice-only technology.
Select the correct answer using the code given below
- 1 Only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
