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A growing number of residents in Kazakhstan are facing a frustrating issue where their newly purchased or imported smartphones are becoming inoperable, often referred to as turning into "bricks." This problem stems from difficulties in registering the devices, leading to widespread concern and discussion on social media.

IMEI Registration Problems Surface

Reports indicate that smartphones brought into the country from Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan are failing to register. Even devices purchased several years ago are reportedly being rejected due to issues with their IMEI codes. This situation has created an opportunity for intermediaries to offer solutions for a fee, ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 tenge.

Operator's Response to the "Brick" Phenomenon

ATS Mediafon, an operator for a data base, has addressed the rising concerns. Company representatives suggest that much of the outcry originates from those accustomed to operating outside official channels. They emphasize that devices imported legally, with all necessary duties and taxes paid, and that comply with legal requirements, can be registered without any complications.

Understanding Registration Rejections

The most common reason for rejection is so-called "grey" imports. These are smartphones brought into the country without proper documentation or tax payments. Consequently, the system does not recognize the device as being in legal circulation, leading to IMEI code verification failures. The crucial factor is not the country of origin, but whether the phone was imported legally and possesses the correct documentation.

Is There a Fee for Registration?

The operator clarified that verification remains free for ordinary users. The fee mentioned on social media, equivalent to 2 MCI (Monthly Calculation Index), does not apply to individual citizens. While importers and official distributors may have commercial agreements for verification services, this fee does not guarantee successful registration. Confirmation of legal import and payment of all taxes and customs duties remain mandatory requirements.

Purchasing Safely

When purchasing a mobile device from an official retailer, users typically encounter no difficulties with verification. However, when buying from unofficial sellers, the risk regarding the legality of the device falls upon the buyer. To ensure your device is legitimate and functional, it is strongly recommended to purchase mobile devices only from authorized sales points.

This information was reported by the Infohub.kz news agency.