Bangladesh’s telecommunications regulator has decided to tighten rules on SIM card ownership, reducing the maximum number of SIMs that can be registered under a single National Identity Card (NID) from 10 to five, effective January 1, 2026. The move, approved by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), is aimed at curbing mobile-enabled crimes and strengthening regulatory oversight ahead of the national election.
Under the new policy, any SIM cards exceeding the five-SIM limit will be deactivated once the regulation comes into force. However, special-series SIM cards for Internet of Things (IoT) devices will continue to be issued through a separate registration process.
According to BTRC officials, investigations revealed that some retailers were misusing customers’ biometric data to illegally register additional SIM cards without consent. In several cases, multiple SIMs were registered under a single NID in one day, prompting concerns over fraud and security loopholes.
The decision was taken during a high-level law and order meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs and will be implemented following formal approval from the Posts and Telecommunications Division. Officials have indicated that the long-term objective is to further reduce the limit to two SIM cards per individual.
While regulators argue the measure will improve accountability, the decision has drawn mixed reactions. Mobile operators have questioned its effectiveness in reducing crime, while some users noted that multiple SIMs are often needed for data usage, IoT applications, network coverage, or family members without NIDs. BTRC data shows that around 80% of subscribers already use five or fewer SIMs
