Handset registration: Manufacturers call for NEIR implementation

The Mobile Phone Industry Owners Association of Bangladesh (MIOB) has called for the implementation of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR), saying it will strengthen mobile phone security and increase government revenue.

They made the demand at a media briefing at Dhaka Reporters Unity on Monday, at a time when mobile phone traders and their employees are protesting against NEIR.

MIOB leaders said NEIR is an internationally recognised security system already used in many countries. They believe that if Bangladesh enforces it, the use of illegal, stolen, copied and refurbished phones can be fully brought under control. It would also prevent the risk of multiple handsets running on the same IMEI number.

MIOB President Zakaria Shahid claimed that around 60 percent of phones in the Bangladeshi market are imported illegally, causing the government an annual revenue loss of around Tk 20 billion.

The government said the NEIR will take effect on Dec 16. Once implemented, handset registration will be mandatory, with only legally approved handsets allowed on the mobile network.

But most of the country’s current mobile phone market consists of “unofficial” devices. In protest of the policy, mobile traders demonstrated in front of the BTRC office in Agargaon on Sunday from 10am to 8:30pm, saying they have openly sold such phones for over a decade without any objection from authorities.

Referring to the ongoing protests, Zakaria said a certain quarter is spreading misinformation about NEIR, creating fear among customers.

He added that a high volume of illegal phones is harming consumers and damaging local industries. Even though the cost of production equipment has increased by up to 60 percent, he said local manufacturers have not raised handset prices.

MIOB General Secretary Zahirul Islam Biplob said the mobile industry has become a strong sector with 18 manufacturing plants and more than Tk 30 billion in local and foreign investment, employing around 50,000 people.

He noted that Bangladesh has the capacity to produce 1.5 million smartphones and 2.5 million feature phones per month, but 30-40 percent of this capacity remains unused due to pressure from the grey market. The current market size is about Tk 200 billion.

MIOB leaders also rejected allegations of forming syndicates, saying the industry is competitive, with 18 licensed manufacturers operating freely in the market. They said claims of monopoly or syndicate activities do not match reality.