Hazards of fake phones exposed

Dar es Salaam. When the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) announced plans to switch off all fake and substandard phones, some might have thought the decision was unwarranted.

However, experts say although people communicate by using fake and substandard phones they do so at their own peril.

A senior lecturer at the Department of Electronics and Telecommunications at the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT), Dr Kenneth Halila, said fake or substandard phones have an impact on the economy and health.

He said since counterfeit or substandard phones are not durable, one is required to buy phones several times a year, spending more than if he/she had bought a genuine one.  Moreover, these phones can affect the brain of a child in a pregnant woman due to radiation. This is because the radiation in the phones is much higher than in original phones.  “We know that the majority of Tanzanians use fake phones because they are cheap. But they have negative impacts on their health and incomes. With higher radiation levels, fake phones can easily explode while being charged and in extreme temperatures,” he said.

Since fake mobile phones are not tested for compliance with industry safety standards, they are sometimes manufactured with harmful levels of dangerous elements such as lead. They usually have inoperable speakers, low-resolution camera and slow and old processors that result in poor network connectivity.     

According to Dr Daudi Simbeye from DIT’s Department of Computer Engineering, fake and substandard phones can destroy the brains of users due to electromagnetic radiation. Dr Simbeye said all original mobile phones have international standards which protect the users. He said for substandard or fake phones the battery may burst and bring serious consequences like burning a house or a car.

The government will in the next five months switch off substandard or fake mobile phones following the launch of the Central Equipment Identification Register (CEIR) which is expected to upgrade security of phones.

CEIR intends to ensure safety for users when using mobile communications accessories including mobile phones and tablets. Also the establishment was part of implementation of the Electronic and Postal and Communications Act of 2010.

After June this year all fake and substandard or stolen communications accessories and mobile phones that will remain in the market will be no longer able to work.

CEIR was also introduced in Kenya 2011 to control all fake and substandard mobile communications accessories.      

A survey conducted at Kariakoo and city centre established that smartphones are sold at between Sh100, 000 and Sh1.5 million, depending on the type of phone and manufacturer. Prices of other phones range from Sh25, 000 to Sh70,000.

According to TCRA, 34 million Simcards have been registered in Tanzania.

Kariakoo mobile phone trader Hemed Mohamed, said despite the TCRA announcement, dealers continue to order counterfeit or substandard cellphones. City centre mobile phone trader Leonard Matemu said: “I sell original phones but my neighbour sells fake ones. We are all doing business.” TCRA Corporate Communication Manager Innocent Mungy, told BusinessWeek that for a customer to identify whether a cell phone is genuine or not he/she should dial *#06#. After that the long numbers will appear on screen with the words the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI).

He said after that the customer is required to send the IMEI number text to 15090 and later on will receive a text message that will show if the cellphone is original or fake.

Cellphones and tablets have specific numbers for recognition is known as the IMEI.

“If IMEI cannot recognise your cellphone we advise you to communicate with the one who sold to you with receipt otherwise we advise you to change it before June before we switch off,” he said.    

If someone lost or had a cellphone stolen he/she should give information to the service provider for the phone to be switched off and cannot be used in any other mobile phone network. 

The regulator advises customers to demand receipts and at least a 12-month guarantee after buying a phone.

He said the system will help increase security for users.

Mr Mungy said the system has a number of benefits such as to control theft. If someone loses a phone or has it stolen, he/she can report to the service provider who will switch off the gadget in any other mobile phone company. But customer required having a receipt.