As users of mobile phones in Kenya scramble to confirm the legitimacy of their devices (in the wake of a notice from the country’s Communications Commission’s (CCK) to switch off counterfeit phones), Chinese ICT solutions provider, Huawei, has confirmed the originality of their handsets.

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Huawei is the world’s second largest telecom solutions provider and has entrenched its presence in the global high-end smartphone market. (Image: File)

In August the CCK confirmed that it would not extend its deadline of 30 September to disconnect counterfeit products.

CCK acting Director General, Francis Wangusi, told the media that there is no clear reason to justify extending the deadline and all technical issues raised in the past have been carefully considered.

There are reportedly fears over the legitimacy of products amongst those users who own devices made in China.

In a bid to allay these fears Huawei has released a statement saying there can be no doubting the authenticity of the company’s product.

“Huawei has created a competitive edge by introducing original devices that ensure quality user experience at affordable costs for Kenyans at all levels; as a result of our heavy investment in customer centric research and development (R&D),” said Wind Li, Huawei Kenya Representative Office CEO.

“As a global ICT leader serving 45 out of the top 50 global operators and a third of the world’s population, Huawei adheres to the laws and regulations of the countries we operate in while meeting all the product requirements,” he added.

The company’s smartphone portfolio in Kenya includes the Huawei IDEOS, IDEOS X5, S7 Slim, and most recently Ascend Y100.

Executive management at the company refers to its established supply and distribution channel within Kenya and its relationships with credible partners to ensure reliability of service to consumers.

Products are available through Safaricom and Orange outlets, and the company also has five care centres in Nairobi and service centres at Malibu Telecom and Telebell at View park Towers.

The CCK’s Wangasi added, “The attention of the Commission has been drawn to a misconception in the mobile phones market that all handsets manufactured in China or by Chinese firms are counterfeit. The Commission wishes to state that China has globally recognized companies whose products and solutions are being used worldwide by top operators, and which meet CCK requirements in respect to quality and type approval. Consumers are therefore advised to verify whether the handsets they wish to buy are genuine by sending the IMEI of the handset via sms to 1555.

The response received from this system which has been set up in liaison with device manufacturers should be the only fool-proof yardstick for determining whether the handset is genuine or not. Members of the public are also advised to purchase mobile phones from vendors who are duly licensed by CCK and should demand to see the CCK type approval certificate of the model of the handset they wish to buy.”