Every mobile device has a unique “International Mobile Equipment Identity”, or “IMEI”. It’s a way for the network to specifically identify your device on the network, and describes the device type, brand, and specific model, even down to the color.
This identifier is occasionally used not only to verify if your device is compatible with the network, but also if it’s the proper device type for that plan. More specifically, the first 8 digits of an IMEI are called the “Type Allocation Code”, or TAC. Those digits specifically identify the device manufacturer and model.
For example, if you attempt to use a voice line in a tablet, T-Mobile has the ability to detect that and throttle the speed available to the device.
For ages, T-Mobile never fully enforced device type and plan, at least not by TAC. There are easy ways to use a voice line in a third party 5G modem, for example, and have it work just fine.
T-Mobile does, however, have the ability to check the device’s IMEI at any time. One recent example is when the company began deactivating home internet lines that were associated with “inactive” gateways.
TAC enforcement may be coming soon
A recent rumor shared with us here at The Mobile Report suggests that may soon change. According to a trusted source within T-Mobile, the company may soon conduct an audit of customer plans and determine if the associated device’s TAC is authorized to be used on that plan.
The source says that most, if not all, plans will be audited. If a device’s TAC indicates it’s a 5G modem and it’s being used on a voice line, for example, that customer could suddenly see their service disrupted.
Why would T-Mobile do this? Simple, for the money! The carrier wants to be able to charge you based on the device you’re using. If you want a home internet device, you need to pay for their home internet plan. If you want data on your tablet, you need to buy a tablet plan.
Changing the IMEI of a device
Some devices have the ability to change the device’s IMEI. This is definitely against T-Mobile’s terms of service, but it’s not impossible.
The legality is also questionable. It seems, currently, there is no law specifically forbidding changing the IMEI of a device you own, but it’s definitely a gray area.
Theoretically, then, if you changed the IMEI of a device to one that indicates it was a device compatible with the plan it’s on, then T-Mobile would have no way of knowing otherwise. We’re absolutely not saying do this, and do not condone it…but it’s certainly doable.
Expected enforcement date
There’s no clear time frame for when this new enforcement is set to begin. So far, the only estimate we have is Q2, which would place it around the end of April. It’s also important to be clear here—this is just a rumor at this point. We have no documentation or proof at all that this action will be taken. We’re simply reporting on the rumor.
We’ll be sure to keep an eye on this one, so keep an eye out for further coverage when we know more.
