Why MSAI is overcharging for IMEA Certification?
Mobile has to be with the IMEI number, Mobile without valid IMEI Number are a threat to National Security. As per the report, Mobile Standards Alliance of India (MSAI) is overcharging for IMEI certification, certain mobile phone vendors reported that the agency in India authorised to issue IMEI numbers for devices has set up a unit that collects as much as Rs 1.4 lakh per model from the manufacturers even though the government doesn’t specify any charges for such services.
As per According to the Indian Cellular Association (ICA), MSAI, which is accredited to the GSM Association, is misusing the unit for commercial purposes. Mobile phone companies can get IMEI numbers for their devices only after paying MSAI’s unit. The ICA has asked the GSM Association to look into the issue. The report further says, “MSAI has created another mirror organisation called Mobile Services Alliance India (MSAI), the name seems more similar, easily any one can get confused, through which it projects to the industry and government institutions that they are also GSMA-accredited, which represents most handset makers.
When there is an allegation from an apex body like ICA, comes to the light, it became necessary to evaluate and examine the fact and further alleged that “manufacturers and mobile brands are being charged up to $500-$2,000 per model by Mobile Services Alliance India for issuing the IMEI certificate for which Indian government doesn’t charge anything.
The same organisation has started another parallel organisation called, The Mobile Association (TMA), founded December 2017, is a non-profit industry body whose focus is on designing favourable policies through advocacy and empowering the mobile device ecosystem in building a smarter, well-secured technology framework for the ultimate benefit of society at large.
It is again a bottleneck to vision of Digital India a great success and now a big question mark is on who has given the permission for over charging, if it proofs then, that will be the next course of action, weather GSM association will withdraw the agency name and appoint a new agency, it become a question mark ?
The issue also raised with the Customs at Delhi is insisting a certificate from MSAI even for CBU Imports with valid IMEI from Country of manufacture or even when IMEI has been purchased from MSAI. MSAI certificate is also being asked for import of SKD/CKD. All these are not as per law. MSAI certificate is issued at 500 US $ per consignments, in addition to the TAC charges from MSAI or other approved agencies.
The news says there are two companies as MSAI, however as per our information there are nine companies:
1. AB Mobile Standards Alliance India Private Limited ( this is body which gives IMEI)
2. AB MSAI Research labs Private Limited
3. AB Mobile Services Alliance India Private Limited
4. Twenty four by seven Mobile Standards Alliance India Private Limited
5. AB Mobile Solutions Alliance India Private Limited
6. MSAI ltd.( Owner, Mobile Standard Alliance of India)
7. AB Mobile and Terminals Private Limited.
8. AB MSAI PR Services Private Limited
9. AB MSAI Pvt Ltd.
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