Hey folks,
I just wanted to remind everybody about taking the precautions when buying a used phone.
Rogers Wireless & Fido integrated something called an Electronic IMEI Register (EIR) which is connected globally to more than 85% of the world's GSM and UMTS Networks. The purpose of the EIR is a database/depository of
blacklisted IMEIs. Once the IMEI ends up in the EIR, the IMEI stays there and does not leave - ever.
What Does This Mean?
This means that if you have a phone with an IMEI stored in the EIR, the phone is as good as a brick. Yup. A Brick. The moment you turn the phone on, the phone will not allow access to the network. The best thing now is to strip it for parts and/or use it as an alarm clock.
Why The Hell Should I Care?
You should care because as mobile phone enthusiasts, it would really suck for
anybody to buy a lemon phone and be out hundreds of dollars. You work hard for your money to buy things you appreciate. Why get ripped off? You may not be a victim, but what about your friends? Your family? Your classmates and coworkers?
What Can I Do To Prevent This?
There really isn't a lot you can do to prevent the sale and purchase of a phone that is blacklisted. There are steps you can take as a buyer such as testing the phone, ensuring that you can make incoming and outgoing calls and SMS and to create a data session. The best thing is to ask for a valid proof of purchase or buy from a trusted seller. Use feedback forums to your advantage. Facebook stalk, forum stalk - whatever it takes. (Just kidding.)
Why Are You Telling Me This? I'm Not A n00b
I'm telling you this because a friend of mine is currently a victim of purchasing a blacklisted phone. He bought a Rogers branded phone from a girl on Craigslist, only for the girl to tell him a day later that Rogers Wireless called her, advising her that the phone was stolen from a dealership and then sold on Craigslist. He's now out hundreds of dollars and left with a brick phone. The phone was bricked a day after he bought the phone. It didn't come with a reciept/proof of purchase so chances are, it was stolen.
How Does An IMEI End Up In The EIR?
From what I've read online, the IMEI ends up in the EIR when the phone is stolen or missing from the dealership or distribution centre (i.e. Cellcom, Wireless Wave, Best Buy etc.) The moment that the IMEI is reported lost or stolen, the IMEI in question is entered into the EIR.
How long does it take for the IMEI to be entered in the EIR?
Instantly. The moment the IMEI is reported, it goes straight into the EIR and takes seconds and from that point on, you're SOL.
Hope this helps. Thanks!
