Desk Report:
The National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) is being launched to prevent the government’s revenue loss of Tk 5 billion, control financial fraud and theft.
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is going to take steps to strengthen the country’s security system and revenue protection by stopping the use of illegal mobile handsets. The National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) will be implemented in the country on December 16. As a result of this new system, no mobile phone with illegal or cloned IMEI will be able to connect to the country’s network in the future.
It was informed at the event that according to the 2024 Bangladesh Bank report, 73 percent of the country’s digital fraud occurs through illegal devices and SIMs. The government loses Tk 5 billion in revenue every year due to illegal handsets. NEIR is not only a technical advantage, but it will play an important role in state and customer security and will reduce fraud and financial transaction fraud through SIMs.
BTRC says that if NEIR is launched, mobile handsets and SIM-related fraud can be easily identified. The price of mobile phones is not decreasing due to the presence of stolen and refurbished handsets in the market. Once NEIR is implemented, 18 domestic mobile handset manufacturing companies will be able to sell phones at competitive prices.
Things to do before buying a new handset:
Before buying a mobile handset from any medium (sales center, online sales center, e-commerce site, etc.) from December 16, you must verify the validity of the handset by following the described procedure and save the purchase receipt of the purchased handset. If the mobile handset is valid, it will be automatically registered in the NEIR system.
Step-1:
Go to the message option of the mobile phone and write the 15-digit IMEI number KYD<space>. For example: KYD 123456789012345.
Step-2:
After writing the IMEI number, send it to 16002.
Step-3:
You will be able to know about the validity of the mobile handset through the return message.
Registration process for mobile handsets purchased or gifted from abroad:
Handsets purchased or gifted from abroad at the individual level will initially be activated on the network and instructions will be given to submit the necessary information online within the next 30 days through SMS. After verifying the submitted information, only valid handsets will be activated on the network by registering.
Procedure for registering mobile handsets purchased or gifted from abroad:
Step-1:
Register a personal account by visiting the link neir. btrc. gov. bd.
Step-2:
Go to the Special Registration section of the portal and enter the IMEI number of the mobile handset.
Step-3:
Upload the image/scan copy of the required documents (passport visa/immigration, purchase receipt, etc.) and press the Submit button.
Step-4:
If the handset is valid, it will be automatically registered. If the handset is not valid, the customer will be notified via SMS and disconnected from the network.
This service can also be availed with the help of the nearest customer care center of the mobile operator.
It is to be noted that according to the existing baggage rules, a person can bring a maximum of one handset duty-free from abroad, excluding a personal mobile handset previously used on the country’s network, and one more mobile handset subject to payment of duty.
Documents required for special registration (applicable to phones brought from abroad):
Purchased phone:
1. Scan/photo of personal information page in passport;
2. Scan/photo of immigration stamp-bearing page in passport;
3. Scan/photo of purchase receipt;
4. Scan/photo of customs duty payment proof (if more than 1 handset);
Gifted phone:
1. Scan/photo of personal information page in passport;
2. Scan/photo of immigration stamp-bearing page in passport;
3. Scan/photo of customs duty payment proof; (if more than 1 handset);
4. Scan/photo of purchase receipt;
5. Gift giver’s certificate (only in case of gift receipt)
Phone brought by air mail:
1. Scan/photo of sender’s passport personal information page or national identification; (if applicable)
2. Scan/photo of recipient’s national identification;
3. Scan/photo of purchase receipt;
4. Scan/photo of duty payment receipt (if more than 1 handset).
Process for checking the current status of the used mobile handset:
Currently, all handsets used in the mobile phone network will be automatically registered by December 16. There is no need to register the handsets used before December 16 separately. To know the current status of the used mobile handset:
Step-1: Dial *16161# from the mobile handset.
Step-2: When the automatic box appears, write and send the 15-digit IMEI number of the handset.
Step-3: The updated status of the mobile phone/handset used will be informed through a return message.
It is to be noted that the above services can be availed through the existing Citizen Portal through the neir. btrc. gov. bd link or through the nearest customer care center of the mobile operator.
