12.04.2026 13:40
The BTK has detected the illegal IMEI method used in phones brought from abroad and has started examining hundreds of thousands of devices. While preventing unregistered use through dual SIM, users were warned via SMS. Devices that are not registered by May 1, when the 120-day period expires, will be disconnected from the network. The registration fee has been announced as 54,258 TL.
Following the abuse of the "1 registration every 3 years" rule applied to phones brought from abroad, the Information Technologies and Communications Authority (BTK) took action. Investigations revealed that hundreds of thousands of devices were included in the system with fraudulent IMEI numbers.
It was discovered that the second IMEI number of dual SIM phones was used for different devices, allowing multiple phones to be activated without paying the registration fee. Due to the serious tax loss caused by this method, the BTK classified these devices under "fraudulent registration."
DEADLINE MAY 1
As of January 1, 2026, the BTK, which has tightened its inspections, sent SMS warnings to those using this method and granted a 120-day period to prevent the devices from being disconnected from the network. This granted period will end on May 1.
With the new regulation, it was stated that methods for extending the period through dual SIM or e-SIM would also be completely blocked.
DEVICES MAY BE DISCONNECTED
If no action is taken within the specified period, the network access of fraudulently registered phones will be cut off. Users need to check the registration status of their devices to avoid any inconvenience.
WHAT SHOULD CITIZENS DO?
Experts recommend that users learn their phone's IMEI number and check it through e-Government. For devices that appear to be unregistered, a registration fee of 54,258 TL must be paid by May 1.