BTRC to block SIMs above 10 per user in phases

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has decided to limit the maximum number of SIM cards to 10 for a user and block additional SIMs in phases aiming to prevent various forgery on social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Imo, Telegram and Facebook.

BTRC said the users will get chance to cancel registration of unnecessary SIMs before these become inactive.

The commission decided in a meeting in May that a user can use maximum 10 SIMs, and the Posts and Telecommunications Division approved this.

If the decision is implemented, around 26 lakh users' 67 lakh SIMs will be closed, the commission said.

BTRC had initially stated that it will give the mobile operators directives in this regard by July 15 but deferred the timeframe.

BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd) Mohammad Emdad Ul Bari said the users will be given three months from August 1 to cancel by self the registration of SIMs above 10 and then, the commission will take measures to close the ones.

The users will be requested by mobile operators to reduce the number of SIMs to 10, he said.

MDHR/MSU