Clarion call to check illegal import of mobile phones

Mobile phone importers have urged the government to check illegal imports of mobile phones in the domestic market. Speaking at a roundtable organized by Nepal Republic Media, they said the growing grey market of mobile phones has posed a serious threat to authorized importers and also made negative impact in the industry. “Illegal imports of mobile phones is leading to price war and creating unhealthy competition,” GL Karna, Business Head of LifeCom Pvt Ltd -- the authorized distributor of Lenovo mobile phones for Nepal, said. Karna recommended urgent intervention of regulatory bodies to control such unethical practices. Some importers also said illegal imports can be controlled by strictly implementing existing laws and policies. "Nepal Telecommunication Authority (NTA) has introduced good policies. Strict implementation of these policies and effective monitoring by NTA can promote healthy competition in the market," Bhupal Chhetri, sales and marketing manager of Pashupati Trade Link -- the authorized distributor of Micromax mobile phones for Nepal, said. Importers also accused the government of not supporting genuine traders and the mobile phone industry on issues related to taxes. "The (mobile phone) industry is generating huge revenue for the government and as mobile phones worth Rs 2 billion are sold in Nepal every month. If the government brings industry-friendly policies and support authorized importers, the grey market will be automatically controlled,” Sanjay Agrawal, chief executive director of TeleTalk Pvt Ltd -- the distributor of Colors Mobiles, said. Meanwhile, officials of NTA said they were serious about controlling illegal flow of mobile phones into the Nepali market. "Implementation of equipment identity registry system, which requires users and importers to register IMEI number of their device with NTA, is a step in that direction,” Ananda Raj Khanal, director of NTA said, adding. "Once all mobile devices are registered with NTA, we can make mobile phones entering the country through illegal channels inoperable.” Khanal also said that NTA was aware of demands placed by traders. He, however, said daily work of the telecommunications regulator has been affected due to lack of sufficient staffers. Source: republica