Unauthorised handsets to be finally blocked from December

After years of delay, Bangladesh is finally set to block unauthorised mobile handsets from December this year, in a move expected to revive the country's struggling local handset manufacturing industry.

Officials of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) said that existing unauthorised phones currently in use will not be blocked, ensuring that users face no immediate disruption.

Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, special assistant to the chief adviser on posts, telecommunications, and information technology, is expected to make the official announcement today at a press conference on the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) at the BTRC office in Dhaka.

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BTRC renews efforts to block unauthorised mobile phones

The NEIR system identifies and blocks stolen or unauthorised mobile devices using International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers, which are a unique 15-digit code assigned to each mobile device.

The initiative, first launched in 2021, was delayed due to technical challenges and concerns that blocking millions of unauthorised phones could trigger public backlash.

During earlier trials, authorities found that hundreds of feature phones shared identical IMEI numbers, complicating efforts to implement the system smoothly.

The BTRC initiated the NEIR scheme to curb illegal handset imports, reduce theft, stop the use of unregistered devices, and protect domestic handset manufacturers from unfair competition.

The initiative was also aimed at helping law enforcement agencies trace crimes committed using such phones.

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Handset production falls 30% in June

The illegal handset market accounts for over 40 percent of total sales, depriving the government of an estimated Tk 2,000 crore in annual revenue and discouraging local production, according to industry sources.

Industry insiders hope that the NEIR's full implementation will finally give domestic manufacturers breathing space after months of sluggish sales.

BTRC Chairman Maj Gen (retd) Md Emdad ul Bari earlier said the commission would implement the system "without causing inconvenience to users" and "with the highest level of transparency."