Buying a mobile phone in Pakistan comes with a lot of risks. The purchases need to look at the approval of the phone and the rules set forth by Pakistan’s Telecommunication Authority (PTA). There can also be a difficulty in choice of approval as well. Therefore, we’ll look at the three verification types today and discuss their pros and cons.
Official PTA Approval or PTA Approved in Pakistan 2023
The “PTA Approved” or the official approval of PTA is the confirmed and authenticated approval by the Pakistan’s Telecommunication Authority. This is considered to be the most authentic and trustworthy of three types as it comes directly from the reputable authorities.
Pros and Cons of PTA Approved in Pakistan
- It is completely legal as it’s done by the authorised personnel at PTA.
- If you have a PTA approved phone, you will have lifetime functionality of your SIM.
- As it is the most reputed and trusted, there is no fear of your SIM card being blocked or any issue directly related to the approval in the future.
- It can be very expensive as there is a heavy tax implication on the authorities by the government. This also makes these devices more expensive than normal devices.
CPID Approval in Pakistan 2023
CPID is known as Certificate Personal ID and is a method in which the device’s firmware or hardware is unlocked without rooting it. This makes the device fully functional. As rooting can cause potential risks, this is somewhat a safer method for device activation without having to root it.
Pros and Cons of CPID Approval in Pakistan
- Unlocking the device’s firmware without rooting it.
- Makes SIM functional by removing the Lock on it.
- Safely reset your device and allow for updates.
- Ensures that the SIM works perfectly.
- This type of approval has its limitations as it’s only for Android users that too with a single SIM jacket only.
- It has moderate cost, meaning it is cheaper than PTA but expensive than a Security patch.
Patch Approval in Pakistan 2023
Patch approval is also commonly known as Security patch and is the least trustworthy. In patch approval the device is rooted and its IMEI number is replaced with another phone’s IMEI number. Patch approval is usually the least preferred by buyers as it can be very complex and risky.
Pros and Cons of Patch Approval in Pakistan
- It is cheaper than both PTA and CPID.
- This method is termed as illegal.
- Replacement of the original company issued IMEI number with another phone.
- Some banking apps do not function properly with a patch approved phone.
- You may need to pay for a security patch again if you reset the phone.
- There is also an issue with the firmware’s updates as updates are halted after the patch.
All three methods can be used to get your SIM working. Even though the PTA approval is the most costly, it is also the most reliable. The other types of approvals are although working and have worked for individuals, they’re still risky. As Cybersecurity has been an increasing concern, it’s imperative that you choose the right option for you. How to Enhance Your Cyber Security: Protecting Against Phishing Threats in Pakistan