Bangladesh’s Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is gearing up for what it describes as its most consequential effort to roll out the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR).
The system, slated to go live on 1 January 2027, will be a centralized database that records International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers for every mobile network. It is intended to neutralise illicit handsets, curb smuggling and stem substantial revenue losses.
Nevertheless, the route to enforcement is marked by a troubled history. Previous rollouts have provoked intense resistance, protests and even violent clashes at the BTRC headquarters.
As authorities prepare for a phased rollout, regulators confront the core dilemma of reconciling national‑security and state‑revenue objectives with the need to keep prices affordable for consumers and to preserve the viability of the industry, prompting concerns that past outcomes could recur.
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) reported that the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) held roughly 770.6 million IMEI numbers as of June 2026, with about 411.8 million of those listed on the grey list as unauthorized devices.
The agency warned that IMEI numbers should not be equated with the number of handsets, noting that a single phone can contain multiple IMEIs and that cloned IMEIs may be used in several devices.
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has devised a two‑phase rollout, acting on recommendations from the National Security Intelligence (NSI), the Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Board of Revenue (NBR). The NBR estimates that tax evasion on unauthorised handsets costs the country roughly Tk2,000 crore each year.
The development of the NEIR has been characterised by shifting policy and public opposition. It was first outlined in 2021.
Subsequent timelines—initially announced for late 2025 and early 2026—have been repeatedly postponed or withdrawn after severe pushback.
When the implementation was previously accelerated, it provoked fierce opposition from the Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB) and independent retailers.
Traders staged demonstrations, blocking roads in Agargaon and across Dhaka, and rallied against policies they say would devastate small businesses.
Tensions escalated when frustrated retailers and other stakeholders marched on the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) building, resulting in localized vandalism and property damage.
Retail users have echoed these concerns from a consumer standpoint.
Critics contend that steering consumers away from affordable, high‑spec grey‑market devices—while official channels heavily promote more expensive or lower‑spec alternatives—unduly penalises buyers with limited budgets.
Consumer sentiment frequently characterises restrictive policies as fostering a captive market that forces ordinary citizens to pay more for fewer goods and services.
Faiz Ahmed Taiyeb, special assistant to the interim government’s chief adviser on the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and IT, told the media earlier this year that “we are implementing NEIR purely in the interest of maintaining state discipline and security.”
The introduction of a regulatory tool has generated a range of issues, which the organization says it resolved swiftly. Officials added that a team worked 24 hours a day, seven days a week—including through the night—to address and fix the problems.
Major official manufacturers have taken a more calculated stance.
Ziauddin Chowdhury, country general manager of Xiaomi Technologies Bangladesh Private Limited, welcomed the decision, emphasizing that a sustainable NEIR policy is vital for a structured market.
Smartphone prices are rising worldwide, and officials warn that introducing the New Electronic Import Regime (NEIR) while keeping import duties at roughly 61.80 percent could make devices unaffordable for ordinary consumers. He cautioned that if public pressure later forces the government to suspend or roll back NEIR, the policy’s credibility would be damaged, and urged that a balanced duty structure be put in place from the start.
Chowdhury warned that frequent policy changes deter foreign investors and stressed that the initiative must be both consumer‑friendly and business‑friendly. He said the aim is a smartphone market where consumers can obtain devices at fair prices, the government secures its rightful revenue, and all businesses are able to operate through legitimate channels.
Shamim Mollah, vice‑president of the Mobile Broadband Consumers’ Board (MBCB), said that traders are seeking the opportunity to import handsets under a regulatory framework and urged authorities to lower taxes.
He urged authorities to allow his side to contribute input, to lower the tax and to grant permission for imports, stating: “Give us a chance to provide input as well. Reduce the tax, give us the opportunity to import.” He said.
Mollah also called for provisions that would permit traders to import used phones, provided that the applicable taxes are paid.
Will demands be met or overlooked this time around?
With the January 2027 deadline looming, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) confronts a high‑stakes dilemma. The government’s decision to either accommodate or disregard industry protests will hinge on how it balances three competing pressures.
Why it matters
The successful implementation of the NEIR database will reshape mobile device imports, state revenue collection, and consumer access to smartphones across Bangladesh.