TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A cellular phone distributor PT Erajaya Swasembada assessed the government’s bill on the validation of cell phones through International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) would create beneficial impacts to not only distributors but also consumers and the government itself.

“The impact will not only be good for Erajaya as an importer, distributor, and official retailer but also for the government and consumers,” said the corporate director of marketing and communication, Djatmiko Wardoyo, to Antara on Thursday, July 4.

As a retailer, the regulation would bring certainty for the business climate of mobile phones. The government was determined to impose the policy in order to prevent a black market or illegal cell phones distribution.

Djatmiko said the distribution of illegal phones decreased the market share of original products, harmed consumers as they did not obtain secured goods, and affected the state income.

Should the regulation imposed, he went on, the state revenue would potentially increase from the value-added tax of the legal phone industry.

Previously on Monday, July 1, General of Resources and Equipment of Post and Information Technology of the Communication and Informatics Ministry (Kominfo), Ismail, announced the regulation on IMEI would take effect in August 2019.

Three ministries had inked the policy, namely Kominfo, Trade Ministry, and Industry Ministry.

ANTARA