Govt to launch NEIR system to curb illegal mobile phone expansion

A government move is in the offing to introduce a two-phase system from January 1, 2027, in order to curb illegal mobile phone imports, sales and productions, official sources said.

According to sources at the Bangladesh Telecommu-nication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), the government will launch its National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system in two phases to stop illegal mobile phone imports, sales and productions. The BTRC expects the system to reduce tax evasion and fraud involving mobile financial services. The decision was disclosed at a high-level meeting on Thursday, chaired by the home minister and attended by representatives from the Posts and Telecommuni-cations Division, Bangladesh Bank and law enforcement agencies. The meeting recommended launching the NEIR system.

According to sources at the National Board of Revenue, the government loses about Tk 20 billion in revenue each year because of smuggled and illegal handsets. The BTRC has decided to move ahead with the full launch of the system to reduce these losses.

In the first phase, all mobile phones already connected to operators' networks will be registered automatically. The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) numbers of unsold phones held by authorised importers and local manufacturers will also be added to the database.

The authorities will begin identifying phones imported without payment of the required taxes or brought into the country through smuggling. However, no handset will be disconnected or have its registration cancelled immediately, to avoid problems for existing users.

In the second phase, the BTRC will introduce features to block illegal phones, identify cloned handsets and verify ownership. The system is also expected to help prevent financial fraud through mobile banking services.

The NEIR system was first introduced on a trial basis on July 1, 2021. However, the feature for blocking illegal phones was suspended by a government decision at the time.