Bangladesh to block illegal mobile phones from Dec 16 via NEIR

Bangladesh is set to launch the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) on Dec 16, bringing every mobile phone under a central registration system.

After the launch, mobile phones brought into the country through “illegal channels” will no longer function, according to government officials.

Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, the chief advisor’s special assistant on ICT, shared the details at a press briefing held at the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) on Wednesday.

He said all mobile phones currently on networks before the launch date will be automatically registered, and no existing device will be blocked.

After the launch, anyone bringing a mobile phone from abroad will be able to register it online with the required documentation.

Taiyeb noted that most mobile financial service (MFS) fraud, scams, digital forgery and sexual harassment cases are linked to the use of illegal mobile phones. Law enforcers also faces difficulties when individuals hold multiple SIM cards under the same name.

According to Bangladesh Bank data, 73 percent of MFS fraud involves unregistered devices.

“Once NEIR goes live, all illegal handsets will be deactivated,” Taiyeb said. “This will help prevent tax evasion worth Tk 5 billion that the government currently loses.”