TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) Minister Johnny G. Plate said his ministry is set to meet mobile cellular operators to rectify the best way to enforce its illegal IMEI blockage policy.

“This week we will decide whether to use a blacklist or whitelist system together with cellular operators,” at the Kominfo headquarters on Wednesday, February 26.

Despite his reluctance to reveal the details of the ministry’s policies, he believes a decision will be taken in the meeting with cellular operators.

In regards to the policy’s tools procurement, he believes the operators will be able to comply. However, he said that the procurement will be centered at the Ministry of Industry. “The system is there and whether to use a whitelist or blacklist, and there will be additional equipment installed in the phones with costs that are not too high,” he said.

Johnny said that cellular operators will be responsible for the cost of the additional equipment. Costs for such a move, he said, will be professionally paid by the operators themselves depending on their revenues.

The preliminary blocking of illegally-bought mobile phones has been commenced since Monday, February 17, together with PT Telekomunikasi Seluler and PT XL Axiata Tbk. This is to know which method is most effective in controlling illegal IMEI mobile phones.

CAESAR AKBAR | BISNIS