GPS Requirements & MEID
Recent news items here on Phonescoop have dealt with changes in the ESN identification system, and the FCC requirement that all handsets have GPS capability.
The requirements are being addressed in different ways by different carriers, and some have waivers giving them more time. But a new wave of restrictions is coming in the near future.
The industry is running out of ESNs, and a new system of identifying number is under development. It may take a couple years before they are completely phased out, but eventually it will no longer be possible to activate a phone with only an ESN. Phones will have to have an MEID in order to be connected to a particular mobile phone number.
I'd give it three to four years MAX. You simply won't be a...
(continues)
The requirements are being addressed in different ways by different carriers, and some have waivers giving them more time. But a new wave of restrictions is coming in the near future.
The industry is running out of ESNs, and a new system of identifying number is under development. It may take a couple years before they are completely phased out, but eventually it will no longer be possible to activate a phone with only an ESN. Phones will have to have an MEID in order to be connected to a particular mobile phone number.
I'd give it three to four years MAX. You simply won't be a...
(continues)
...
YEP, we've already STOPED activating non-GPS phones. We used to allow customers to bring in an old Startac or 510 or whatever and activate it as prepay or as a replacement handset, but we can not anymore. There are going to be a lot of unhappy people eventually. There are still those customers that refuse to give up their Startac.
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