Armenia to Implement Unified System for Registration and Control of IMEI Codes for Mobile Phones
25.06.2026,
14:57
Armenia plans to implement a unified state system for registration and control of IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) codes for mobile phones.
YEREVAN, June 25. /ARKA/. Armenia plans to implement a unified state system for registration and control of IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) codes for mobile phones. The corresponding amendments to the Law "On Electronic Communications" were presented at a government meeting by RA Minister of High-Tech Industry Mkhitar Hayrapetyan.
According to him, the lack of registration and control of IMEI codes creates a number of risks, including the circulation of mobile devices imported using counterfeit identifiers, tax losses, unfair competition in the market, and threats to cybersecurity and personal data protection.
The minister stated that, according to the draft, mobile operators will be required to verify IMEI codes when providing communications services.
According to the draft, citizens importing a mobile phone manufactured in the current or previous year into Armenia will be required to register the device by paying a state fee of 3,000 drams. Registration of older phones will be free.
However, an increased fee will be imposed for the import of additional phones within one year: 100,000 drams for a device manufactured in 2026 and 20,000 drams for a phone manufactured in 2025.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the mobile phone market remains one of the largest shadow markets in the country. He stated that after the implementation of the new system, mobile devices whose legal import has not been confirmed will not be able to operate on Armenian telecom operator networks.
According to him, the lack of registration and control of IMEI codes creates a number of risks, including the circulation of mobile devices imported using counterfeit identifiers, tax losses, unfair competition in the market, and threats to cybersecurity and personal data protection.
The minister stated that, according to the draft, mobile operators will be required to verify IMEI codes when providing communications services.
According to the draft, citizens importing a mobile phone manufactured in the current or previous year into Armenia will be required to register the device by paying a state fee of 3,000 drams. Registration of older phones will be free.
However, an increased fee will be imposed for the import of additional phones within one year: 100,000 drams for a device manufactured in 2026 and 20,000 drams for a phone manufactured in 2025.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated that the mobile phone market remains one of the largest shadow markets in the country. He stated that after the implementation of the new system, mobile devices whose legal import has not been confirmed will not be able to operate on Armenian telecom operator networks.