NEIR system set for December 16 launch to block illegal mobile phones

The National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) will launch on December 16 to halt the use of illegal mobile handsets nationwide and bolster telecommunications security. 

The system will completely block unregistered or unofficial phones from operating on local networks.

Faiz Ahmed Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser and in-charge of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, announced this at a press conference held Wednesday in the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) boardroom in Agargaon, Dhaka. 

He described NEIR as a transformative step for the sector—a centralised platform that links each handset’s internationally approved IMEI number with the user’s National Identity Card (NID) and SIM, enabling clear identification of legal and illegal devices.

Taiyeb emphasised that NEIR will eliminate illegally imported or counterfeit phones, preventing significant annual revenue losses for the government and safeguarding the domestic mobile manufacturing industry.

It will also help curb crime by identifying and blocking devices involved in theft or illegal activities.

“NEIR is more than a technical tool—it’s a national pledge for citizen safety, state stability, and telecom transparency,” he said. 

BTRC, along with the four mobile operators—Grameenphone, Robi Axiata, Banglalink, and Teletalk Bangladesh—are developing their own Equipment Identity Register (EIR) systems to support the initiative.

The system will also combat Mobile Financial Service (MFS) fraud, SIM scams, and other deceptions, while strengthening eKYC verification, telecom security, and revenue collection.

Addressing journalists and operator officials, Taiyeb urged: “Starting December 16, Bangladesh enters a safer, more transparent telecom era. Help raise awareness and promote the use of legitimate handsets.”

BTRC Chairman Major General (Retd) Emdad-ul-Bari and other officials attended the event.