The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is advancing its efforts to implement the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR), a system designed to reduce illegal handset usage through a triplet-based registration process. This will require the IMEI, the user’s National ID (NID), and the SIM’s MSISDN or IMSI to be linked together for registration.
However, industry insiders have raised significant concerns regarding the complexity of the deregistration process. Mobile operators warn that the triplet-based system could create challenges for millions of users, especially women and rural families, whose SIM cards are often registered under the names of family heads. They fear the deregistration process may cause unnecessary hardship, making it difficult for users to modify or verify their information.
Initially proposed in 2021, the NEIR system was stalled due to a lack of policy decisions. After resuming discussions in early 2024, the BTRC circulated an updated process flow but again faced delays. The initiative was revived in late 2024, with the regulator pushing forward with the plan to integrate mobile operators’ Equipment Identity Registers (EIRs) into a centralized national database.
Under the new protocol, every mobile handset will need to be registered using the triplet system, linking the IMEI to a specific NID and SIM card. While this system is intended to improve traceability, stakeholders are concerned that it may complicate daily mobile usage, particularly when changing SIM cards or loaning phones to others. The added challenge of deregistering devices when SIMs are registered under different NIDs, especially in rural and family contexts, could make the process impractical for many.
The implementation of NEIR could also disrupt the handset repair ecosystem, as customers will need to deregister devices before servicing and technicians will need to re-register them upon completion of repairs. Additionally, verifying ownership of a new handset with an existing IMEI in the NEIR could prove difficult without proper documentation.
In response to these concerns, the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) has suggested simplifying the system by focusing on blocking illegal devices without imposing complex deregistration procedures. They have also proposed a six-month transition period to allow users to adjust and called for a dedicated mechanism to address potential technical glitches.
Despite these concerns, BTRC Deputy Director Zakir Hossain Khan stated that the deregistration process had been finalized after extensive consultation and remains essential for citizens’ empowerment. He emphasized that there is no immediate need for modification but mentioned that the process could be evaluated for optimization. The NEIR system will be implemented according to the government’s decision at the designated time.
