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The bill on introducing a unified system for registering mobile phones’ International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers, which the Cabinet approved in June, will be revised. The government intends to submit a more finalized version to the National Assembly for discussion within two months, Minister of High-Tech Industry and Artificial Intelligence of Armenia Davit Tadevosyan has said.
“Let me probably start by explaining why we are postponing it,” he told lawmakers at a session of the parliamentary Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday.
“The main issue the government wants to address through this initiative is combating the shadow economy. In other words, we see a need to address a fiscal issue,” the minister said.
According to Tadevosyan, the bill needs to define the terms used and the technical aspects of the regulation more clearly. He said he would consider the lawmakers’ comments.
“Thank you for this opportunity to work on the draft law for another two months. I am confident that the next version we present to you will be significantly clearer and more applicable to addressing the issue that the law is intended to address,” he said.
The minister also presented the initiative’s main concept. An organization involving mobile network operators is planned to be established to manage the database of phones’ IMEI numbers. These numbers will make it possible to identify devices and distinguish phones imported through legal channels. Tadevosyan reiterated that the conditions for applying possible restrictions still need to be clarified.