Indian Telecom operators will start blocking  mobile phones with improper IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) numbers starting from tomorrow. They have been issued an order from the Indian government to take this action.

GSM networks use IMEI to identify mobile devices. Operators block stolen mobile phone with the help of this number. Security reasons have been cited as the rationale for this directive. Following are the type of phones that are eligible to be blocked in the light of this order:

1. Cellphones that do not have IMEI numbers.
2. Have sequence of zeroes as their IMEI number.
3. Non-genuine IMEI numbers.

Users whose device will get blocked will have two options

1. Purchase a new mobile.
2. Go to one of the outlets setup by Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), to get a valid IMEI number embedded onto their devices via a specific software.