Mobile handsets coming under registration

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has decided to bring mobile handsets under registration to prevent theft and hijacking of illegal import. Recently, a proposal has been approved by the BTRC in principle.

BTRC secretary and spokesman Sarwar Alam told Bangladesh daily, the proposal was approved in principle. Now the policy is ready to be reviewed and other issues are being examined. Work on various topics has started.

According to BTRC sources, more than three crore mobile handsets were imported in 2016, and about one-quarter of it came on the way to the thieves. As a result, the government was deprived of revenue of Tk 800 million. In addition to the fake and low-quality set in the market. Use of mobile phones for various crimes and anti-social activities, including militant activities. In order to control the overall situation, BTRC has made a policy decision to set up and operate the National Equipment Identity Registrar (NEER) through third-party licenses in the open auction system or to introduce mobile handset registration system. In this connection, BTRC coordinates with the mobile network operator (MNO), law enforcement agencies, customs and NBR and will serve as the regulator of the NEIR. According to the latest BTRC statement, the current year, more than 15 thousand crore mobile handsets are imported. Half of it comes with tax evasion illegally.

The criminals, criminals, and anti-social activities are continuing stealthily through these illegal means of mobile handsets. And if the phone is closed, they can not be found. Then the law enforcement agencies have to get the speed to catch these horrific criminals. So, the BTRC has decided to register mobile handsets to prevent such crimes. Once the registration is complete, the stolen set will be stored separately in the database and the operators can use the EIR (Equipment Identity Registrar) to prevent the use of the stolen money through access control system.