Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is preparing to resume enforcement drives against illegal and non-compliant mobile handsets as authorities intensify efforts to strengthen device registration compliance and curb grey market smartphone imports.
According to local reports, the renewed initiative will focus on identifying unregistered or illegally imported mobile devices operating on the country’s telecom networks through the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system.
The NEIR platform enables regulators and mobile operators to track and verify handset legitimacy using International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers, helping authorities block counterfeit, cloned, or smuggled devices from accessing networks.
BTRC officials said the move is aimed at protecting consumers, supporting legitimate handset importers and manufacturers, improving tax compliance, and strengthening cybersecurity and network integrity.
The regulator had previously launched similar enforcement campaigns but later eased implementation following industry concerns and market adjustments. The latest resumption signals a renewed push to formalise Bangladesh’s rapidly growing mobile device ecosystem.
Bangladesh has one of South Asia’s largest mobile subscriber bases, with smartphones playing an increasingly central role in digital financial services, e-commerce, remote work, and government digitalisation initiatives.
Authorities believe stronger handset compliance mechanisms will also improve overall telecom sector governance by reducing illegal imports that bypass duties and regulatory approvals.
Industry stakeholders have historically expressed mixed views on enforcement measures, with supporters arguing that grey market controls protect consumers and state revenues, while critics caution against potential disruption for users holding previously imported devices.
The development comes as Bangladesh continues accelerating digital transformation initiatives under its broader Smart Bangladesh vision, where secure and compliant digital infrastructure is becoming a growing policy priority.
Editor’s Note: Bangladesh’s renewed enforcement against illegal handsets reflects a wider regional trend where telecom regulators are tightening device governance frameworks to improve cybersecurity, tax collection, and network integrity as smartphone penetration becomes increasingly critical to national digital economies.
Bangladesh’s telecom regulator BTRC is resuming enforcement against illegal mobile handsets through its NEIR platform, aiming to block unregistered devices, curb grey market imports, and strengthen telecom compliance and cybersecurity.
