Cheap mobile phones are easier on the pocket, but not many realise that substandard devices increase call drops and reduce data speeds.

Telecom operators in the country are, therefore, embarking on a certification programme that will tell users which phone models are best suited for an optimum network experience.

“Not all cheap phones are substandard but as of now there is no way for a consumer to know which device will give him the best experience.

“The certification programme, which we will role out soon, will help our customers to make better decisions in order to improve quality of service,” said a top executive of a leading mobile operator. Operators are looking to extend the certification to applications.

“Some applications consume a lot of bandwidth, while others are just not optimally designed for a 4G network,” said another operators based in Mumbai.

While consumers who buy non-certified devices will still be able to use all services, telecom operators are thinking about giving discounts to incentivise those who purchase certified phones.

According to one industry estimate, nearly 40-50 per cent of phones being currently used in the country may be of sub-standard quality. Operators had not bothered to check the use of these devices until now because phones were being primarily used for voice.

But with 3G and 4G coming in, telecom operators need to ensure that their networks are not loaded with inefficient devices and bandwidth guzzling applications. International studies show that wherever substandard devices are used in large numbers, operators suffer a significant loss in voice and data capacity.

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