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The government has slashed customs duty on mobile phone imports from 25 per cent to 10 per cent, marking a nearly 60 per cent reduction, as the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) officially came into operation on Thursday.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Advisory Council, which also approved a reduction in duty for locally manufactured handsets from 10 per cent to 5 per cent - a cut of 50 per cent - in a bid to stabilise prices, encourage legal imports and support domestic production.
The government said the move fulfils its earlier commitment that NEIR would be enforced only after rationalising taxes on mobile phones. Officials expect the decision to make handset prices more affordable while bringing order to the market.
Under the decision, mobile phones already imported within the timeframe set by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) will be approved under the NEIR system as stock-lot devices without any additional duty. Traders will only need to submit valid IMEI numbers to regularise their inventory.
The government also announced special consideration for expatriates. Those returning to Bangladesh may use their personal handsets for up to three months without registration. If they stay longer, registration will be required. For general users, phones will not be blocked for the next three months, giving time for compliance.
Officials said the government has accepted all reasonable and legitimate demands from stakeholders, including tax reductions and a pathway to legalise existing devices. However, authorities warned that violence or vandalism would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
The NEIR system officially became operational on Thursday, enabling authorities to block illegal and unregistered mobile phones from accessing mobile networks. According to BTRC, no currently active handset will be disconnected, including those whose IMEI numbers were submitted by traders within the deadline.
BTRC Chairman Major General (retd.) Md Emdad Ul Bari earlier said only newly connected devices would undergo verification. The system aims to curb illegal handset imports, block stolen phones and restore discipline at the market.
He also clarified that NEIR does not have the capability to monitor calls or messages. Data protection measures have been incorporated into the amended Telecommunications Ordinance, with strict penalties for misuse.
Similar systems are already operational in countries such as India, Pakistan, the United Kingdom and Australia.
Attack on BTRC premises
Despite these measures, violence broke out at the BTRC headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Thursday afternoon. A group of mobile handset traders allegedly involved in tax evasion vandalised the premises, damaging the mosque, training rooms and glass structures of the building.
According to officials, the attack occurred while BTRC officials were inside the building, some of them offering prayers. Protesters reportedly hurled bricks and stones from outside the compound, causing panic among staff members.
At least five people were arrested in a joint operation by the army and the police, and security has since been reinforced in the area. Law enforcement agencies said more arrests may follow.
The violence reportedly followed protests by the Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB), whose leaders had earlier been holding talks with BTRC officials inside the building regarding the implementation of NEIR. During the meeting, protesters outside allegedly launched the attack.
BTRC officials said such an assault on a regulatory authority was unprecedented. "This was completely unexpected. While discussions were ongoing inside, the attackers suddenly began vandalising the premises," said BTRC Deputy Director (Media Communication) Zakir Hossain Khan.
Strongly condemning the incident, the Chief Adviser's Special Assistant for Posts, Telecommunications and ICT, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, said all those involved would be identified and brought to justice. He also announced that strict operations would be launched at land ports and airports to prevent illegal handset imports.
The government reiterated that NEIR is essential for digital security, fair market practices and credible elections, adding that strict legal action will be taken against any misuse of SIMs, databases or telecom infrastructure.
Authorities also warned that raids may be conducted at wholesale markets and customs points to seize illegally imported handsets if necessary.
Despite the unrest, officials maintained that NEIR implementation will continue as planned, stressing that the system is vital for ensuring national security, consumer protection and regulatory transparency.
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