Gov’t to issue rules on cellphone dealers, repair shops

Government is set to issue shortly a new set of rules that will require mobile phone dealers and repair shops to register with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) as a requirement for doing business in a move aimed at curbing the proliferation of cellphone theft.

NTC commissioner Ronald Solis the commission has already received comments on two draft circulars. Some sectors, including equipment suppliers, welcome the move to regulate the business of mobile phone dealers and repair shops while others such as some telecommunication companies disagree with the policy consideration.

Solis said he has already directed the NTC planning department to finalize the draft which will include minor changes from the original draft. "We will sign it before the end of the month or early next month," he revealed.

The first NTC memorandum circular aims to monitor and effectively regulate the purchase, sale, lease and/or retail of mobile phone units, parts and accessories thereof, in the interest of the public.

Under the proposed rules, no person shall engage in the business as a mobile phone dealer (MPD) without first securing the necessary permit from the NTC. An MPD shall register with the commission all the available mobile phone units in their stock and/or possession by submitting the list of their International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) code on a monthly basis. Likewise, they shall also submit the list of all the available subscriber identification module (SIM) numbers in their possession.

The rules will also prohibit an MPD from keeping on stock any cellular phone, which is illegally acquired, and not type-approved by the NTC.

Existing dealers shall register with the commission within 30 days from effectivity of the circular and every year thereafter.

Dealers will also be required to submit the list of stocks of spare parts and accessories enough to cover the warranty of mobile phone units for at least six months or in accordance with the dealership agreement. They will also be asked to submit proof of paid-up capitalization in the minimum amount of P100,000.

The second circular governs the repair, servicing, and maintenance of mobile phones. Mobile phone service centers (MPSC) are prohibited from accepting for servicing mobile phone units, parts and accessories coming from unauthorized or illegal sources.

The rules also prohibit the altering of the IMEI number. An MPSC shall not have in its possession or inventory any equipment and/or software program used for altering the IMEI code or number of any mobile phone units.

Solis said that since these two circulars will affect a lot of mobile phone dealers and repair shops, a massive information dissemination campaign will be conducted by government within the 30-day period registration requirement.