Mobile registration rollout sparks “de-registration” concerns

Authorities warn that a SIM registered under one person’s name cannot be used on another handset without completing “de-registration”

Bangladesh is set to introduce mandatory mobile phone registration from Dec 16, raising concerns among users and industry insiders about potential complications and inconveniences.

A central issue is the “de-registration” process for existing handsets, as a SIM registered under one individual’s name cannot be used in another device without completing de-registration.

Observers fear that cloned handsets could further complicate this procedure after Chief Advisor’s IT Special Assistant Faiz Ahmed Taiyeb announced on Wednesday that the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) will bring every mobile phone in the country under formal registration.

BTRC Chairman Emdad ul Bari and Director General Aminul Haque also spoke and fielded questions from journalists.

Taiyeb said, “Until NEIR becomes operational on Dec 16, all phones on the country’s networks will automatically fall under registration. Illegal or cloned phones will not be deactivated; rather, they will be placed in a grey list category on the server.”

Each handset, like a SIM card, will require registration. After Dec 16, any new phone added to the network must be registered; valid handsets will be automatically included, eliminating the need for users to take additional steps.

Other devices may operate for 30 days without registration, during which owners must complete the process.

A handset registered to one person can only use SIMs registered under the same name. Selling or transferring such a phone, or using a different SIM, will require prior de-registration -- raising concerns about user inconvenience.

“The main challenge of NEIR is to minimise hardship for users post-implementation,” Taiyeb said. “In a country with millions of handsets of uncertain validity, inconvenience is inevitable.”

On queries about de-registration if a phone owner passes away or is abroad, BTRC DG Aminul said: “De-registration verifies documents, not the individual.

“Anyone with the owner’s NID or the last four digits of their passport can complete it. Grey-listed handsets can be deregistered. Cloned phones, however, require specifying the target SIM for future use.”

Bari added, “We face significant challenges, such as multiple sets sharing the same IMEI number. Even minor cybersecurity measures create user stress. From the 16th of December, many processes could be suspended, causing major inconvenience. Our priority is to start the system gradually and minimise hardship for the public.”