More than half of SIMs yet to be registered with biometric details

So far, 54.5 million mobile phone SIM cards have been registered with biometric details since the exercise started in December, says State Minister for Telecoms Tarama Halim.

The figure accounts for around 42 percent of the 131 million SIMs sold by mobile phone operators in Bangladesh.

However, around 80 million of them are still active, say operators.

“We will finish the process by Apr 30. As a warning, the remaining subscribers’ SIM will be switched off for a few hours and they will be notified by SMSs,” Minister Halim told a media briefing after attending a road show held by mobile operator Banglalink.

She said the unregistered SIMs will be deactivated for good after the warnings.

However, the rate of registration is increasing daily as the deadline nears, added the minister.

SIM cards are not being sold without the buyer’s fingerprints any more, while the re-registration of SIM card owners by recording their fingerprints is set to continue until April.

The SIM re-registration process, which began on Dec 16 last year, is aimed at controlling crime using SIM card registered under false names.

Speaking at the briefing, Telecoms Secretary Faizur Rahman Chowdhury said, “Many have been victimised over the misuse of SIM cards. A certain quarter is carrying on propaganda, but everyone wants it.”

The BTRC chief described those opposing the move as ‘enemies of the people and the State’.

“The idea of fingerprints being stored is absurd. We want to ensure subscribers' security,” said Chairman Shahjahan Mahmood.