Kazakhstan will transfer the right to verify IMEI codes of mobile phones to the state, reports Todayinfo. This was announced by Vice Minister of Digital Development and Innovation Rostislav Konyashkin.
For the past year, this function was performed by the private company ATS Mediafon KZ, which was a de facto monopolist in the market. It charged 1 MCI for each unofficially imported phone, causing difficulties for many Kazakh citizens during verification.
Earlier, the Ministry of Digital Development stated that other players would soon enter the market. However, the government decided to make this sphere a state monopoly. 'The issue is being considered at the government level. A decision has been made to move to a state monopoly. That is, a state organization will provide phone verification services,' said Konyashkin.
Relevant regulatory changes are currently being considered in the Mazhilis. If adopted, a fully state-owned company will handle this function.
