What is IMEI number?
The International Mobile Equipment Identity or IMEI is a number unique to every GSM and WCDMA and iDEN mobile phone, as well as some satellite phones. It is usually found printed inside the battery compartment of the phone. It can also be displayed on the screen of the phone by entering *#06# into the keypad.
The IMEI number is used by the GSM network to identify valid devices and therefore can be used to stop a stolen phone from accessing the network. For example, if a mobile phone is stolen, the owner can call his or her network provider and instruct them to “ban” the phone using its IMEI number. This renders the phone useless, whether or not the phone’s SIM is changed.
Unlike the Electronic Serial Number or MEID of CDMA and other wireless networks, the IMEI is only used to identify the device, and has no permanent or semi-permanent relation to the subscriber. Instead, the subscriber is identified by transmission of an IMSI number, which is stored on a SIM card that can (in theory) be transferred to any handset. However, many network and security features are enabled by knowing the current device being used by a subscriber
When mobile equipment is stolen or lost the owner will typically contact their local operator with a request that it should be blocked. If the local operator possesses an Equipment Identity Register (EIR), it then will put the device IMEI into it, and can optionally communicate this to the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) which blacklists the device in all other operator switches that use the CEIR. With this blacklisting in place the device become unusable on any operator that uses the CEIR, making theft of mobile equipment a useless business proposition.
The IMEI number is not supposed to be easy to change, making the CEIR blacklisting effective. However this is not always the case: a phone’s IMEI may be easy to change with special tools.
Every Mobile Phone will have a unique idendity number called IMEI number. Whatever be the model of your mobile phone like Nokia, Motoroal, Samsung, blackberry etc this number will be there and unique in world. Its a good practise to check your IMEI number before purchasing a phone.
Step to check the IMEI number of your Mobile Phone
Enter the following code on your Mobile Phone Keypad
*#06#
Then It will display a 15 digit number thats your IMEI number.
You can use this number if your mobile is stolen and want to track the mobile.You can contact with your nearest service provider with this number and they can track the mobile if its switched on by identifying the location of signal tower which is accessing the mobile having the IMEI number you have provided.