The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has instructed that all unsold mobile handsets currently in the country’s markets must be registered by 15 December, ahead of the rollout of the National Equipment Identity Registration (NEIR) system designed to curb illegal and counterfeit phones.
The decision was announced on Tuesday during a meeting between BTRC officials and the Mobile Business Community Bangladesh, where both sides discussed simplifying mobile handset import approvals and vendor enlistment procedures.
BTRC Moves to Ease Genuine Imports and Block Illegal Phones
In a statement, BTRC said the meeting reviewed how to make the existing approval process more business-friendly while preventing the entry of cloned, copied, used and refurbished handsets. Following the discussion, several measures were decided:
BTRC will issue vendor enlistment certificates with minimal paperwork and in shorter processing time. Importers will also be allowed to submit authentication letters from authorised distributors—rather than only from original manufacturers—to obtain import approval.
The move aims to prevent the entry of illegal and refurbished phones while easing the process for genuine traders.
Mobile Business Community Bangladesh has been asked to submit written proposals on how import procedures can be further simplified without compromising efforts to block illegal devices.
15 December cut off for regularising existing stock
Responding to concerns raised by traders, BTRC said all unsold handsets currently in shops can be regularised if their details are submitted in the prescribed format by 15 December. The commission will then take necessary steps to list those devices under NEIR.
BTRC also assured full cooperation to all businesses importing mobile phones legally under the “Guideline for Use, Marketing and Listing of Wireless Equipment 2024.”
Industry insiders estimate that around 5 million unregistered handsets are now circulating in the market. BTRC maintains that NEIR is essential to eliminate illegal and counterfeit phones, protect government revenue and strengthen the country’s growing mobile manufacturing industry.
Debate Over NEIR Intensifies
On 29 October, at a press briefing in Dhaka, Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, special assistant to the chief adviser in charge of the ICT ministry, said NEIR would make it impossible to use illegally imported or counterfeit phones, saving the government large sums in lost revenue.
However, some mobile traders have warned that NEIR could lead to heavy financial losses for them. On 7 December, a group staged a day-long sit-in outside BTRC headquarters demanding policy changes.
In contrast, the Mobile Industry Owners Association of Bangladesh (MIOB) said at a separate press conference on Monday that misinformation is being spread about NEIR.
With 18 licensed manufacturers currently operating in the country, the association argued that NEIR is vital to protect legitimate businesses and ensure fair competition.