The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has confirmed the launch of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) on December 16, 2025, marking a decisive step toward banning unregistered and illegally imported mobile phones across the country.
Despite repeated government announcements over the years, previous attempts to curb unregistered handsets have faltered.
This time, however, the BTRC – backed by all four major mobile operators – says the system is ready for full implementation.
At a joint press conference held at the BTRC boardroom on Wednesday afternoon, Faiz Ahmed Tayyab, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser in charge of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, described NEIR as “a national commitment to citizen security, state order, and transparency in the telecom sector.”
The NEIR system will link each mobile handset’s internationally recognised IMEI number with the user’s National Identity Card (NID) and active SIM card, creating a centralised database that can instantly distinguish legitimate devices from counterfeit, stolen, or smuggled ones.
“Once NEIR is operational, illegally imported or fake mobile phones will be completely blocked from the network,” Tayyab said. “This will not only protect national revenue but also safeguard the domestic mobile manufacturing industry and help combat telecom-related crimes.”
The system will also integrate with operators’ individual Equipment Identity Registers (EIRs), developed in coordination with Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink, and Teletalk.
This integration will enable real-time tracking of both devices and SIMs, ensuring that only verified handsets can access mobile services.
BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd) Emdad-ul-Bari elaborated on the operational mechanics: “Each registered phone will be tied to a specific SIM. If a different SIM is inserted, the device will be flagged and may be blocked unless re-registered. This will significantly reduce mobile theft, SIM fraud, and misuse in criminal activities.”
He noted that around 37-38% of mobile handsets in Bangladesh are still non-smart or basic feature -hones, which limits the reach of digital services. The NEIR rollout is expected to accelerate the adoption of compliant, locally manufactured smartphones.
Since 2018, 18 companies have been producing mobile phones domestically under the 2017 manufacturing policy. However, their competitiveness has been undermined by the influx of cheap, smuggled, and refurbished devices. “NEIR will level the playing field,” Bari said, “by identifying and isolating illegal handsets from the market.”
In parallel, the BTRC is tightening SIM registration rules. The maximum number of active SIMs per NID has been reduced from 15 to 10, with operators set to deactivate excess SIMs from November 1.
By December, no individual will be allowed more than 10 active connections. Further reductions may follow in phases, though the regulator assured that ordinary users will not be inconvenienced.
Both Tayyab and Bari stressed that NEIR will also strengthen eKYC verification, curb Mobile Financial Services (MFS) fraud, and boost government revenue through formalised device imports and usage.
“This is not merely a technical upgrade,” Tayyab concluded. “From December 16, Bangladesh’s telecom sector will enter a new era—safer, more transparent, and more accountable. We urge the media and telecom operators to raise public awareness and promote the use of legitimate, registered handsets.”