NEIR framework comes under fire as political leaders, industry demand policy overhaul

Political leaders, industry stakeholders and consumer groups have raised concerns over the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) policy's timing, economic implications and lack of transparency, with the BNP promising a review if it forms the next government.

Speaking at a roundtable organised by the Center for Technology Journalism (CTJ) today (7 December), BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury announced that a BNP-led government would "certainly review the NEIR policy," stressing that any changes must adhere to free-market principles and be formulated through wide stakeholder consultation. 

Khasru heavily criticised the government's approach, questioning the economic logic and consumer impact of the policy, while asking stakeholders to revisit the spending of Tk67,000 crore in the ICT and telecom sector under the previous administration.

He said, "Those assembling mobile phones locally in the name of production are taking advantage of policy preferences, but how much value are they truly adding? We must assess whether those investing in the sector are generating greater value each year. 

"We also need to determine whether the tax burden is balanced for both parties. If a policy is designed to benefit a particular syndicate, that business model cannot be sustainable."

The BNP leader warned that creating monopolistic opportunities for a handful of companies would distort the mobile-device market and undermine entrepreneurs. Domestic assemblers already enjoy nearly 50% preferential benefits, he said, but NEIR could push out competitors and enable a single dominant player.

CTJ President and Daily Samakal Assistant Editor Hasan Jakir delivered the keynote at the discussion.

Timing, legitimacy, and consumer burden

BNP Chairperson's Adviser Zahir Uddin Swapon said policies must first safeguard national and public interest. He argued that the NEIR initiative should not proceed under an unelected government and that such transformative reforms require democratic legitimacy. "Policies cannot be formulated to enrich particular individuals," he said.

Ganosamhati Andolon Coordinator Zonayed Saki criticised the government's unilateral decision-making, claiming it surpasses past authoritarian practices. He said NEIR threatens sectors that have created thousands of jobs and accused local assemblers of exploiting tax loopholes while selling overpriced devices.

From the industry side, BACCO Secretary Faisal Alim said NEIR is necessary in principle but the selective privileges offered to nine organisations are unacceptable. He argued that many "assemblers" simply import knockdown parts with little real value addition.

ISPAB President Aminul Hakim said NEIR implementation is unrealistic without higher smartphone penetration, noting that internet adoption cannot grow if devices remain unaffordable due to policy-induced costs.

Former BASIS Supportive Committee chairman Rafael Kabir questioned why NEIR is being rushed by an unelected government, calling the implementation timeframe "entirely impractical." He said claims that NEIR prevents online crime are misleading and unrelated to device registration systems.

Daily Rupali Bangladesh Editor Md Sayem Faruqi highlighted the impossibility of registering 7-8 crore devices within days, urging a minimum six-month public awareness campaign before any rollout.

The Business Standard Chief Reporter Abbas Uddin Noyon pointed out that Bangladesh ranks among the world's most expensive mobile markets, burdened by some of the highest tax rates. He noted that advanced economies do not require NEIR-like registration because regulators already have technological tools to identify offenders without imposing device-level controls.

Mobile-phone consumers' representative Mohiuddin Ahmed questioned why the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is pushing NEIR when the finance and home ministries, responsible for tax and security matters, appear uninterested. He also raised concerns about the involvement of companies linked to controversial political figures.

Mobile traders also demanded equal opportunity, simpler NOC processes and transparent registration procedures, particularly for expatriates.

The discussion reflected broad agreement that while device-registration systems may serve legitimate objectives, Bangladesh's current NEIR model risks aggravating market distortions, harming small businesses and burdening consumers unless redesigned through an inclusive, accountable process.