BTRC to relaunch NEIR next year

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has set out to relaunch the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) from the first day of next year with a feature to block handsets that are produced or brought into the country without authorisation.

However, it will not allow regulators to block cloned handsets, often used in crimes, nor will it let users and others transfer ownership registration. These features could be added in next stage roll-outs, dates of which are yet to be fixed.

Aside from the limitations, it would be the regulator's third attempt to make the handset-tracking system fully operational since its trial began in 2021, according to the minutes of the commission meeting held on 28 September.

NEIR is a central database that regulators use to verify handsets' International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers and block illegal or stolen devices.

NEIR will be launched in two phases. The first phase, starting 1 January, will include all originally designed features except de- and re-registration, which allows handset ownership to be transferred between users in the system.

The BTRC will seek approval from the Posts and Telecommunications Division for registration transfer feature, which will come in a second phase. No date has been set.

The first phase will let authorities identify illegally produced and imported handsets and stop the sale and use of phones brought in by evading customs duties. The first phase will not cover cloned sets, as mentioned earlier.

All handsets currently active on operators' networks will be registered automatically. The status of phones already in use could be corrected in phases without affecting consumers' existing devices. Importers can also submit IMEI numbers and other details of imported handsets that are unsold or held in stock.

The BTRC said at least two months of publicity are needed to inform consumers, leaving about three months between the 28 September decision and the launch date.

NEIR began a trial on 1 July 2021, but lacked features to automatically shut down illegally imported handsets or block cloned devices. The BTRC said this undermined the system's main objectives.

On 29 October 2024, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) wrote to the BTRC seeking a full relaunch, citing annual revenue losses of Tk2,000 crore. The Posts and Telecommunications Division decided on a full launch at a meeting held on 1 December 2025.

The BTRC prepared to launch NEIR with all features on 1 January 2026. Unofficial mobile phone sellers launch protests against the forthcoming move from December 2025. The BTRC then launched NEIR without the blocking feature, citing the upcoming national parliamentary election.

Afterwards on 9 June, the National Security Intelligence (NSI) renewed its call for a full rollout, citing economic and public security concerns.

A home ministry meeting chaired by its senior secretary on July 2 also proposed launching the system. It identified weaknesses in IMEI and SIM registration, and misuse of mobile financial services, as concerns.