Dhaka: The identification of illegal mobile handsets have been extended in Bangladesh; initially, the mobile companies were given a month to do so, but now it has been extended to September. The work is complex and time consuming so that customers are not harassed and it is done to finish accurately.
Initiatives have also been taken to raise awareness in this regard. According to the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has started detecting illegal mobile handsets from July 1 this year. These mobile sets that have entered the Bangladesh market illegally in various ways will be dismantled later.
For this, Bangladesh Telecommunication Authority is using the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system. BTRC will use such technology for the first time in the country.
The company also said not to panic mobile customers. Everyone will have time to legalize invalid mobile sets. No one’s mobile set will be disabled or turned off right now. If a registered valid mobile set is lost, it can be disabled.
Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar said, “Every mobile set has an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number, which is the identification tech of the mobile.” When mobile is imported, we allow it with number. Those who produce in Bangladesh are also approved with numbers.
“I can see that illegal mobile sets continue to be imported or smuggled,” he said.
Explaining the reason behind increasing the time, he said, ‘Different types of people use mobile sets. Many of them may not know where the IMEI number is. They should not be left out. I have instructed the mobile operators on customer care and how to verify IMEI in various ways to make their customers aware. For these reasons, they have taken three months at present. With this time, I have given the responsibility to the operators so that the databases can be completed smoothly. There is no mistake. ‘
The minister said the situation would be reviewed after September. Then I can go to the shops and find out which sets are out of registration. ‘
BTRC Commissioner AKM Shahiduzzaman said, ‘There is a demand for about 150 million handsets across Bangladesh at present. 40 per cent of which have entered the market illegally or have been imported.”
“We are trying to bring in these disciplines. This is being done mainly to maintain law and order. Opportunities will be given to legalizing. That is why the message will go to everyone.”
No one’s mobile will be switched off. There will be no interruption in the communication system. In the case of handsets purchased from abroad, registration can be done by submitting valid documents to BTRC, he added.
