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Published : 04 Jan 2026, 10:16 PM
Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, special assistant to the chief advisor on information technology, has clarified the government’s firm stance on the implementation of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR).
He made the remarks on Sunday while visiting the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), which was damaged by an attack by mobile traders opposing the system.
Taiyeb assured that the concerns raised by customers about the NEIR would be resolved soon. He also questioned whether the agitating traders wanted a “licence to commit crimes”.
The government has implemented the NEIR system since Jan 1. On that day, mobile handset “grey market” traders attacked the BTRC office, and 45 people were arrested.
Mobile traders from Bashundhara Shopping Complex, Motalib Plaza, and several other markets blocked the Sonargaon crossing in Karwanbazar on Sunday with multiple demands, including the release of arrested traders, suspension of NEIR, and permission to import old phones.
They clashed with police in turns, spreading out to Panthapath and Hatirpool.
Police tried to control the situation by charging batons, hurling tear gas and stun grenades. Some protesters were also seen being taken away in prison vans.
During the clash, Taiyeb briefed journalists at BTRC.
He said, “If this cycle of mischief continues, our buildings are vandalised, state institutions are damaged, and shops are forcibly closed in the most important markets of the state, and our intersections are blocked, then it must be understood that they want a licence to commit crimes.
“We cannot allow them to continue their activities this way, keeping the cycle of crime, fraud and deception going.
“Security and order must be restored in Bangladesh’s telecommunications sector, and we will take whatever measures are necessary.”
He added, “The implementation of NEIR has paved the way for citizens to be free from SIM and unregistered device-centric crimes and financial fraud.
Describing the attack on BTRC as “unacceptable”, he said: “It is very unfortunate that this attack occurred on the same day the highest duty reduction on legal mobile imports in a single sector in Bangladesh’s recent history was announced.
“An attack on an important state institution without acknowledging the nearly 60 percent reduction in import duty is completely unacceptable.
“We will legalise all phones that arrived in Bangladesh before Jan 1, whether in use or unsold.
“Seven organisations have already submitted the IMEI lists of their unsold phones.
“Some organisations have not submitted their lists; they may be misled or obstructed.
“We hope everyone will refrain from such activities and cooperate with the implementation of NEIR.”
The government has accused mobile handset traders of importing low-quality, cloned, used, and old phones through illegal tax-evasion routes, prompting protests against the NEIR system, which has been introduced to curb tax evasion and ensure only legitimate phones enter the country.
BTRC ADDRESSES CUSTOMER CONCERNS
BTRC has responded to different concerns and questions from consumers after the launch of NEIR. This was announced in a statement on Sunday.
“BTRC has addressed different customers’ problems on social media and electronic media.
1. A customer is seeing many illegal or unorganised IMEI numbers in their favour
BTRC response: Such problems are occurring due to the use of cloned, used, or refurbished mobile handsets. One of the objectives of launching the NEIR system is to ensure that such IMEIs cannot be connected to the network in the future.
2. A large number of active SIMs or handsets registered under the same national identity card
BTRC response: All customer data is stored in the NEIR system, causing such numbers to appear. They are working with operators to show only active handsets, and the issue is expected to ease gradually.
3. After the launch of NEIR, there is a delay in receiving OTP from the mobile operator in some cases during registration on the Citizen Portal
BTRC response: Some customers are facing delays due to many registration requests coming in a short period of time. BTRC has already instructed all the concerned mobile operators to take immediate action on this issue.
4. Many are concerned about the security of their information (data theft)
BTRC response: We assure everyone that all data is safe. Only the customer will be able to access his information.
Customers are requested to report any problems or queries to their mobile operator’s customer care or BTRC’s hotline 100.
BTRC STATEMENT ON TRADERS’ DEMANDS
BTRC announced the steps taken regarding the demands raised by the traders who went on a movement against NEIR.
“After the launch of NEIR, dissatisfaction is observed among the retail traders of mobile handsets. Several meetings have already been held at the BTRC office with representatives of the agitating Mobile Business Community of Bangladesh (MBCB).”
In those meetings, traders put forward several demands, and the statement outlined the steps BTRC has taken in response.
Demand 1: Reduce the import duty on mobile phone handsets
Steps taken: The government has reduced the import duty on mobile handsets to 43 percent from an earlier 61 percent.
Demand 2: Simplify the process of importing mobile phones
Steps taken: BTRC said mobile phone import rules will be relaxed: Vendor Enlistment Certificates will be issued quickly, and handsets can be imported with documents from any authorised dealer instead of the original manufacturer’s certificate.
Demand 3: Return unsold or stocked handsets to the network
Steps taken: Traders have been informed that the IMEIs of unsold or stocked handsets will be added to the network without paperwork at a nominal duty, including handsets still in the process of import.
Demand 4: Approval of the import of old mobile handsets
BTRC response: The approval of importing old handsets falls under the Ministry of Commerce, not BTRC. Mobile phones are not included in the ministry’s list of old product imports. As service quality depends on handset quality, it is crucial to ensure genuine handsets. The quality of old or imported handsets cannot be verified, posing a risk of customers being misled.
