DHAKA, Oct 30, 2025 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has urged mobile phone users across the country to verify the legality of their handsets before December 16, when the government will begin barring all illegal and cloned devices from accessing the national mobile network.

The move comes as part of the government's plan to launch the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system to ensure that only approved, standard, and legally imported mobile phones remain active in Bangladesh.

Chief Adviser's Special Assistant on the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb on Wednesday said that 73 percent of digital frauds in Bangladesh originate from illegal devices and SIM cards, according to Bangladesh Bank's 2024 report. 

"The NEIR system will significantly curb such crimes while protecting government revenue," he added.

Due to illegal handset use, Taiyeb said, the government loses an estimated Taka 500 crore in revenue each year. The new system will help prevent such losses and ensure that consumers enjoy safe and reliable connectivity, he added.

Under the initiative, consumers have been advised to verify the validity of their mobile phones before purchase from any source such a retail outlets, online platforms, or e-commerce sites, and to retain the purchase receipt.

From December 16, only devices with valid IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) numbers registered under the NEIR system will be able to connect to local mobile networks.

What to do before purchasing a new handset:

Before purchasing any mobile handset from any source--whether a retail outlet, online sales center, or e-commerce platform-- you must verify the handset's legality following the method described below and keep the purchase receipt safely.

If the handset is valid, it will be automatically registered in the NEIR system.

Step 1: Go to the message option on your mobile phone and type KYD <space> 15-digit IMEI number.

For example: KYD 123456789012345.

Step 2: Send the message to 16002.

Step 3: You will receive a reply message informing you about the handset's validity.

Registration process for mobile handsets purchased or received as gifts from abroad:

A handset legally purchased or received as a gift from abroad will initially remain active on the mobile network. The user will receive an SMS instruction to submit the required information online within 30 days. After verification of the submitted information, only valid handsets will be registered and allowed to stay active on the network.

The procedure for registering a mobile handset purchased or received as a gift from abroad is as follows:

Step 1: Visit the link neir.btrc.gov.bd and create your personal account.

Step 2: Go to the "Special Registration" section of the portal and enter the handset's IMEI number.

Step 3: Upload scanned copies or photographs of the required documents (such as passport pages showing visa/immigration stamps, purchase receipt, etc.) and press the Submit button.

Step 4: If the handset is valid, it will be automatically registered. If the handset is found invalid, the customer will be notified via SMS, and the device will be disconnected from the network.

For users without internet access, BTRC has arranged verification and registration support through mobile operators' customer care centers and the USSD code *16161#.

Officials said all handsets already in use before December 16 will be automatically registered, and no separate process will be required for existing users.

The BTRC also reminded consumers to use only handsets with verified IMEI numbers to help prevent fraud, theft, and cybercrime, ensuring a more secure digital ecosystem for the country.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Special Assistant at a press conference at the BTRC announced that the long-awaited National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) service is set to be officially launched across the country on December 16, marking Victory Day.

BTRC Chairman Major General Md. Emdad Ul Bari (Retd) said that once the NEIR system is launched, it will enable easy identification of mobile handsets and SIM-related issues.

He said that guidelines are being formulated in light of the existing telecom network policy. Mentioning that currently 38 percent of mobile users in the country use feature phones, he added that all necessary measures are being taken to increase the use of smartphones.

Referring to the presence of stolen and refurbished handsets in the market as a reason behind high mobile phone prices, he said that after the NEIR system comes into operation, the country's 18 companies that manufactured mobile handset locally will be able to sell their products at more competitive prices.

Extending gratitude to BTRC for taking the initiative to launch the NEIR system, President of the Mobile Phone Industry Owners' Association of Bangladesh (MIOB) Zakaria Shahid said that local mobile handset manufacturers will not only meet domestic demand in the future but also begin exporting handsets abroad.

Expressing the mobile operators' strong support for the implementation of NEIR, Secretary General of the Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) Lt Colonel (Retd) Mohammad Zulfiqar said that coordinated efforts are needed from all stakeholders to raise public awareness about the NEIR system.