Registration of end-user devices with mobile numbers owned by legal entities and private entrepreneurs

Pursuant to RK Communications Law, all end user mobile devices (phones, tablets, modems, routers, SIM card operated watches, etc.) operating on the mobile networks of the Republic of Kazakhstan are subject to registration. All mobile carriers in Kazakhstan will stop providing mobile services to customers who use non-registered devices.

Registration of end user mobile devices (further as ‘Device’ or Devices’) is free of charge.

If the end user device is owned by an employee of a company, the registration in this case will only be valid until that employee stops using the corporate number with his end user device.

Registration of the end user device that uses a corporate number of a company does not imply the transfer of ownership of such device to that company.

The following devices are not subject to registration:

• M2M (machine-to-machine) devices (such as: car alarm devices, sensors, trackers, POS terminals, etc.) that use SIM cards;
• End user mobile devices roaming in Kazakhstan

In order to prevent non-registered end user devices from disconnection from service and for the convenience of companies (for example, when end user is traveling outside the Republic of Kazakhstan, or when new devices is purchased), automatic registration was carried out 1 April 2019.

Register subscriber device

FAQ

What is IMEI code?

It is an international identification code of the end-user mobile device (mobile phone, tablets, modems, watches with SIM cards, etc.), which is assigned by the device manufacturer. IMEI is used to identify the device in the mobile carrier’s network. Normally, IMEI is indicated in four places: inside the device (dial *#06# on your device to view it on your screen), underneath the battery, on the package and in the warranty card.

What is a non-unique or duplicate IMEI-code of device?

The manufacturer of the subscriber device assigns to its device a unique/original identification IMEI-code. However, there are cases of manufacturing pirated versions of original devices in world practice. They can have a non-unique IMEI-code, exactly the same as the original device. There can be subscriber devices with the same IMEI-code in the networks of communication operators. Such codes are called as non-unique or duplicate.

According to the requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, since January 01, 2019, devices with non-unique IMEI-codes are not subject to registration. At the same time, if you registered such devices earlier in the Kcell/activ network, they will work. Pay your attention that during de-registration of such devices, you will no longer be able to register them and use them on any network of cellular operators of the RK.

Therefore, in case of transferring such devices to subsequent users, we advise you to re-register them in accordance with the procedures.

What is registration of end-user mobile devices and why we must undergo registration?

According to the Law — On communication, subscribers shall be obliged to register on IIN for resident/passport data for non-resident own subscriber devices (mobile telephones, laptops, modems, watches with SIM-cards, etc.). M2M devices and devices that are in roaming in the territory of Kazakhstan are not subject to registration.

We request all subscribers to take a responsible approach to registration of their mobile devices. Cellular communication operators do not have the right to provide communication services for unregistered devices. In the absence of registration of the device, in accordance with the requirements of the Law «On Communication», communication services will be limited.

These norms are required in order to reduce the number of telephone thefts, as well as to strengthen the fight against extremism and terrorism.

Is there a fee to register my device?

Registration is free of charge, no matter how many devices you wish to register.

Who is the owner of the IMEI database?

State enterprise under the State Radio Frequency Service of the Ministry of Information and Communication of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

What if I don’t register my device?

According to the Communications Law, all mobile carriers in Kazakhstan will stop providing mobile communications services for non-registered end-user mobile devices.

How to register end-user mobile devices that use mobile numbers owned by a legal entity / private entrepreneur?

End user devices and mobile numbers owned by legal entities and private entrepreneurs (corporate numbers) will be automatically registered and tied to their BIN — for legal entities, or IIN — for private entrepreneurs. Registration of the end user device that uses a corporate number of a company does not imply the transfer of ownership of such device to that company. End users are able to register their devices on their own. To that end, send BIN / IIN for private entrepreneur from the end user device that uses a corporate number to 6006 or dial *660# and follow the instructions.

I got SMS about a non-unique IMEI number? What does it mean?

It means that the IMEI-code (international identifier for each subscriber device) of your device is duplicate. There can be subscriber devices with the same IMEI-code in the networks of communication operators. Such codes are called as non-unique or duplicate.

According to the requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, since January 01, 2019, devices with non-unique IMEI-codes are not subject to registration. At the same time, if you registered such devices earlier in the Kcell/activ network, they will work.

Pay your attention that during de-registration of such devices, you will no longer be able to register and use them on any network of cellular operators of the RK.

Therefore, in case of handing over of such devices to subsequent users, we advise you to re-register them in accordance with the procedures.

Which of the two will be blocked on 01.01.2019 — mobile number or end-user device?

If your SIM card is used in the end-user device to which is not tied, then, according to the Law, you will be disconnected from service.

How to register a dual-SIM end-user device?

In dual-SIM devices, both SIMs will be tied to that device. If SIM1 is registered to an individual and SIM2 — to a company or private entrepreneur, then SIM1 will be tied to INN of that individual and SIM2 — to BIN of that company or private entrepreneur.

Mobile numbers registered to companies and private entrepreneurs will be automatically tied to BIN of the company/IIN of private entrepreneur.

An end-user device owned by a company employee may be registered and tied to his IIN. To that end, he must insert a SIM card (which is also tied to his IIN) into the device and text his IIN number to 6006, or dial *660# into that device and follow the prompts.

What types of devices are subject to mandatory registration?

Devices that have IMEI number, are subject to mandatory registration. E.g. mobile phones, modems, tablets, routers, watches with a SIM card, etc.

Machine-to-machine devices (such as: car alarm devices, sensors, trackers, POS terminals, and others) that have a SIM card are not subject to registration.

How to register modems, tablets, routers which are not capable of sending SMS or USSD request?

If device is owned by a company/private entrepreneur and uses a corporate number, it will be registered automatically and tied to that company’s BIN or IIN of the private entrepreneur. Also, the contact persons of corporate customers will be able to register the device(s) through their corporate account.

If device is owned by a company employee, it can be tied to his other mobile numbers. If the device is not capable of sending SMS or voice message, the owner must sign in to his account. If he has no account, he must sign up following the prompts (accept the relevant terms and conditions). To that end: insert your private SIM card (must be registered to an individual) from the device you want to register (tablet, modem, router, and others) into your phone and send a text message to 245 to get a password. Use the password to sign up to your account. Then insert the SIM card into the device you want to register (tablet, modem, router). Then sign in and undergo registration with the SIM card number inserted in your device (tablet, modem, router, and others).

If I own a dual SIM phone with 2 different IMEI codes, which of them will be registered?

If SIM cards belong to two different carriers, you must register your device twice with the respective carrier. Some dual SIM phones have one unique IMEI code. To find it out, dial *#06# on your phone, or check the back side of your device, underneath the battery or on the box. If your phone has one IMEI code, insert your SIMs into different slots and undergo the registration process with the IMEI code.

If your phone has two IMEI codes, insert one of your SIM cards in each of the slots one by one and undergo the registration process. For instance, insert your Kcell/Activ SIM into slot 1 and register your device. Then remove it and insert the second SIM into the same slot 1 and register your device. Do the same for slot 2.

I own a dual SIM phone with 2 different IMEI codes. One SIM card is Kcell and the other is Beeline. Do I need to undergo registration with both carriers?

Exactly, you will need to register your device with both carriers.

What to do to register a device that was previously registered to a company / private entrepreneur to an individual?

First of all, you need to deregister the device from the company. To that end, insert to the corporate SIM into your device and and undergo the registration process by texting company’s BIN or IIN of the private entrepreneur to 6006 short number or dialing *660# and following the prompts.

Once deregistered, you will be able to undergo standard registration procedure for individuals. Insert a SIM card (owned by an individual) and undergo the registration process by texting your IIN to 6006 short number or dialing *660# and following the prompts. Please, note that your registration request may be denied if the IMEI you have submitted is not unique.

How do foreigners register their devices?

1. Roamer is a foreign citizen who is roaming in a Kazakhstani mobile network. Roamers are not required to register their devices in Kazakhstan.

2. End-user devices of the foreign citizens who use mobile number owned by a legal entity / private entrepreneur in Kazakhstan will be automatically registered and tied to BIN number of that legal entity or IIN of the private entrepreneur.

3. Foreign citizens who purchased a SIM card in the Republic of Kazakhstan and use the services of a local mobile services provider must register their devices:

If you have no IIN number, you can register your device based on your passport details.

If you have IIN number, you can register via USSD or SMS..

List of USSD-commands

Menu — *660# and the button of call completion

Registration — *660*1# and the button of call completion or *660*1*IIN# and the button of call completion

Check of registration — *660*2#

Re-registration — *660*3#

Deregistration — *660*4#

How many devices can be registered to 1 BIN?

If a company owns multiple corporate numbers on different devices, all devices registered with these numbers can be registered the company’s BIN.

Does SIP-telephony require registration?

No. Only end user devices that have IMEI number are subject to registration. End user devices include mobile phones, modems, tablets, routers, watches with a SIM card, etc. Machine-to-machine (such as: car alarm devices, sensors, trackers, POS terminals, etc.) that use a SIM card do not require registration.

If s smart watch or tablet does not use SIM card, and can be connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi only, do I need to register such devices?

No. Only end user devices that have IMEI number are subject to registration. End user devices include mobile phones, modems, tablets, routers, watches with a SIM card, etc. Machine-to-machine (such as: car alarm devices, sensors, trackers, POS terminals, etc.) that use a SIM card do not require registration.

If a company has a subsidiary, will the device be registered to BIN number of that subsidiary?

Yes, in this case device will be registered to BIN of the subsidiary company.

If I lost my phone, will the law enforcement bodies accept a formal letter from the company about the lost phone?

Yes. Your company can also submit an application to Kcell JSC.

I am planning an overseas trip. Will I be able to use my SIM card with a mobile device which I have not registered in Kazakhstan?

Yes.

According to the mobile device registration rules (chapter2 par.4), unregistered mobile devices, while they are roaming outside of Kazakhstan, are not subject to registration. This means, you can use your SIM card with any unregistered mobile device while traveling abroad.

However, on your return from the trip, your unregistered device will get blocked until it has been duly registered.