The National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) comes into operation from today, Thursday (1 January). As a result, any illegal or unregistered mobile handsets newly connecting to the network will be automatically blocked.
At the request of traders, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) had extended the deadline for submitting IMEI numbers of phones held in stock until 31 December. With the deadline now over, the system is being activated from today.
BTRC Chairman Major General (retd.) Md. Emdad Ul Bari said, “No handset—approved or unapproved—that is currently active on the network will be disconnected. Phones whose IMEIs have been submitted from traders’ existing stock will also remain active. Only devices that newly join the network will come under verification.”
Expatriates will be allowed to bring in two additional new handsets along with their used phone. They will have three months to complete registration and must provide travel-related documents.
Fayez Ahmed Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Posts and Telecommunications, said that if the Advisory Council decides today to reduce import and production duties on mobile phones, the implementation of NEIR will become easier.
On 10 December, protests were held at Karwan Bazar in the capital against the decision to block grey-market phones. Although it was later said that the implementation would be suspended, BTRC stated that it has not received any official directive in this regard.
According to BTRC, NEIR is being introduced to control illegal handsets, block stolen phones, and restore order to the market. To identify devices, the system will keep the network active by matching IMEI numbers, SIM numbers, and IMSI. The agency also said that the system does not have the capability to record calls or messages.
However, concerns have been raised about the possibility of surveillance due to the existence of a central database. Experts warn that if cybersecurity is weak, there could be risks of data misuse. The government says that provisions have been added to the amended Telecommunications Ordinance to protect privacy and prevent harassment, with penalties for violations.
Meanwhile, systems to block stolen phones have already been in place in countries such as India, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and Australia.