Dhaka: The government will take significant measures to block all cloned, illegally imported, and smuggled mobile phones, as stated by Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, the Chief Adviser's Special Assistant for the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology. This measure aims to curb criminal activities associated with illegal phones, including wrong SIM registration, online scams, bulk SMS fraud, tax evasion, customs evasion, border smuggling, and the obstruction to local handset production.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Taiyeb highlighted that the establishment of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) will be a key step in preventing the illegal use of a single International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number for multiple phones. This will ensure that each device is uniquely identifiable and traceable, enhancing security and compliance.
Furthermore, Taiyeb emphasized that the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is working towards simplifying the registration procedures for phones brought from abroad through legal channels. The goal is to make legally imported phones more affordable and accessible to consumers, thereby reducing the demand for illegal devices.
In addition, Taiyeb clarified that phones active before December 16 will automatically be registered as valid. Expatriates will be allowed to bring one or two phones legally without any complications. However, if they wish to bring more than two phones, they must adhere to the rules set by the National Board of Revenue (NBR).