Can Cellular companies tell what kind of phone you have by the IMEI number?

Question

I was wondering if an IMEI number can be used by cellular companies to figure out what kind of phone you have. Especially phones with sim cards. How would they know if you are using another phone?

Answer 1

In America, the 2 main GSM providers are ATT and T-Mobile but there is no WORLD WIDE database that is used to tell them what phone you are using by IMEI

As example, on the ATT website, there is an area that you can enter an ATT phone number and it will tell you what phone is being used. If the phone is ATT branded, it will list the model of the phone. If its a non ATT branded phone, it will list "unkown device"

Summing it up

If there was a world database, they could tell the make and model but since there is not, they can only tell that you are using a non ATT branded phone, not the make and model

Answer 2

yes, thay can find out what kkind of phone you are using by the IMEI #. The IMEI # contains information to identify the make and model. Even if you do not tell the cellular company that you have changed the phone they will still figure it out. Everytime you make a call this information (IMEI#) is sent over to the cellular company.

Answer 3

Yes they can as every single cell phone has it's own unique number (International Mobile Equipment Identity) - somewhat like a fingerprint.

I don't know exactly how easy it would be, but it is most definitely possible, as they can shutdown a phone by blocking it's IMEI

I'm not sure whether they would actually bother to pin you on using a different phone but who knows... either way big brother is watching.... mwhahaha