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IMEI numbers

ruby6kids
ruby6kids Posts: 554 Forumite
in Mobiles
Hi
can someone tell me what IMEI numbers are for and if a phone is unlocked and the IMEI numbers reset to a load of 00000's what does that mean for the phone
thankyou
:confused:
:T Thanks to all lovely MSE'rs - you are great friends :T

Comments

  • Jon_01
    Jon_01 Posts: 5,931 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    IMEI's are the phone serial number if you like. The first (I think ) 5 digits tell the network what model it is. The number is logged every time the phone logs on to the network.

    If the IMEI's all zero the phones screwed. No network will allow it on as that's an invalid number.
  • ruby6kids
    ruby6kids Posts: 554 Forumite
    Thankyou!

    :beer:
    :T Thanks to all lovely MSE'rs - you are great friends :T
  • baldude
    baldude Posts: 182 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts
    Jon_01 wrote: »
    If the IMEI's all zero the phones screwed. No network will allow it on as that's an invalid number.

    You are wrong!!!! Have you ever tried the china make phones like the ones from https://www.dealextreme.com ????

    Chinese make phones dont come with an IMEI no and they work very well on uk networks. Surprising but true....
  • jonathon
    jonathon Posts: 760 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
    baldude wrote: »
    You are wrong!!!! Have you ever tried the china make phones like the ones from www.dealextreme.com ????

    Chinese make phones dont come with an IMEI no and they work very well on uk networks. Surprising but true....


    why do you think thay have no IMEI number ? I just looked at a phone on the website you you quoted and it says IMEI number unique.
    I believe thay need an IMEI number to work on UK networks.
  • nickmack
    nickmack Posts: 4,435 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    ruby6kids wrote: »
    can someone tell me what IMEI numbers are for and if a phone is unlocked and the IMEI numbers reset to a load of 00000's what does that mean for the phone

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Mobile_Equipment_Identity

    IMEI numbers set to all 0's means it will be blocked from being used on any UK network and many abroad as well. BTW, it's illegal to change the IMEI.
This discussion has been closed.
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