The GSMA and World Customs Organization Sign Agreement to Combat Mobile Device Fraud

New Collaboration Will Provide Customs Officers With Real-Time Information on Authenticity of Mobile Devices

London and Brussels: The GSMA and the World Customs Organization (WCO) today announced an agreement to collaborate in the fight against the counterfeiting and fraudulent trading of mobile devices. The partnership will focus on the integration of the GSMA's mobile device database with the WCO's IPM mobile platform that will give customs officers global, real-time product information on devices enabling them to assess the authenticity of device shipments as they cross borders. The move is intended to improve cross-border trade procedures, assist with the rapid detection of counterfeit goods and secure the international trade supply chain.

The trading of counterfeited mobile devices is a global issue that has a number of severe consequences to its victims, such as safety concerns related to the release of substandard devices, as well as an impact on the reputation and revenue of rights holders, said John Hoffman, CEO, GSMA Ltd. This collaboration with the WCO will allow customs officers to access the most accurate information available on bonafide devices, helping in the fight against the trade of counterfeit devices.

The GSMA administers the allocation of International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEIs) numbers via Type Allocation Codes (TAC) and runs the world's authoritative database of registered devices. The WCO's IPM web and mobile platform is a global security gateway that allows customs officers to verify the authenticity of products online. It also allows manufacturers or rights holders to share relevant product information, which is made available in real time to customs organisations and can be added to their consignment checking procedures.

The integration of the GSMA database into our IPM platform is an important step in the fight against counterfeit and illicitly traded mobile devices. We are very proud to be able to work in partnership with the GSMA as well as manufacturers of mobile devices, making available to customs officers around the world, through our IPM platform, information and product details that can effectively assist our day-to-day operations, said Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General, World Customs Organization.

The partnership will combine GSMA device data with rights holders' interfaced data pools, as well as the unique information a rights holder has uploaded into IPM, enabling customs officers to scan and verify the IMEI codes of mobile devices and make instant and informed decisions. Customs officers and rights holders also have the ability to contact each other instantaneously via the IPM platform and exchange information in real time.

For further information, please visit www.wcoipm.org for further information on the WCO and the IPM platform. For further information on the GSMA's Managed Services work, please visit http://www.gsma.com/managedservices/device-blacklist-services/about-device-check/.

-ENDS-

About the GSMA

The GSMA represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, uniting nearly 800 operators with more than 250 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem, including handset and device makers, software companies, equipment providers and internet companies, as well as organisations in adjacent industry sectors. The GSMA also produces industry-leading events such as Mobile World Congress, Mobile World Congress Shanghai and the Mobile 360 Series conferences.

For more information, please visit the GSMA corporate website at www.gsma.com. Follow the GSMA on Twitter: @GSMA.

About the WCO

Representing 180 Customs administrations around the world, the WCO is the steward of international Customs standards and the central forum for co-operation and dialogue on Customs matters. Its main function is assisting Customs administrations to achieve their objectives, especially effective application of Customs controls while efficiently facilitating legitimate trade. Visit: www.wcoomd.org.

Media Contacts:

For the GSMA

Charlie Meredith-Hardy

+44 7917 298428

CMeredith-Hardy@webershandwick.com

GSMA Press Office

pressoffice@gsma.com

For the World Customs Organization

Samantha Gompel

+32 (0)2 209 9454

samantha.gompel@wcoomd.org

LINK:	http://www.gsma.com/newsroom/press-release/the-gsma-and-world-customs-...
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