The government will roll out the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) on December 16, 2025 to curb the use of unregistered, stolen, or illegally imported mobile handsets and enhance security in the country’s telecommunications sector.
The announcement came at a press conference held on Wednesday at the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) boardroom. Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, briefed the media about the initiative.
The NEIR is a central database system that will link every handset’s International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number with the user’s National ID (NID) and SIM registration data. Once operational, it will automatically identify and block unauthorized, cloned, or stolen devices from accessing any mobile network in Bangladesh.
Tayyeb described the initiative as “a milestone in ensuring transparency, national security, and order in the telecom sector,” adding that it will significantly reduce government revenue losses from illegal handset imports and safeguard the local mobile manufacturing industry. The system will also help detect and block stolen or criminally used devices, playing a crucial role in crime prevention.
In addition to BTRC, all four mobile operators—Grameenphone, Robi Axiata, Banglalink, and Teletalk—are developing their own Equipment Identity Register (EIR) systems to integrate with the NEIR platform.
Speaking at the event, Brigadier General Md Aminul Haque, Director General of BTRC’s Spectrum Division, explained that all new handsets connecting to the network will first undergo verification through NEIR.
Valid devices will be automatically registered and remain active, while users of unauthorized phones will receive an SMS alert and have one month to register before being disconnected from the network.
Haque added that individuals who purchase or receive phones legally from abroad will be able to activate them through a special registration process.
Jakaria Shahid, President of the Mobile Phone Industry Owners Association of Bangladesh, praised BTRC’s efforts, saying the system would help local manufacturers meet domestic demand and eventually expand into export markets.
BTRC Chairman Maj Gen (Retd) Md Emdadul Bari and senior officials from the telecom industry were also present at the briefing.