What is the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR)?

The National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) is a government system that will verify every mobile handset on Bangladesh's telecom networks from 16 December.

According to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), NEIR will automatically detect whether a phone is legally imported, locally manufactured, or brought into the country through unofficial channels. 

All legally approved devices currently in use will be registered automatically through their biometric SIMs, while unregistered or second-hand devices must follow a separate process.

How the system works

BTRC Chairman Major General (retd) Md Emdadul Bari said NEIR compares a phone's International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) against the national database. If the IMEI is legal, the device remains active; if not, the system will block network services.

Officials said the platform also prevents IMEI cloning – where a single IMEI number is used to produce thousands of illegal sets – making it easier for law enforcement to trace devices used in criminal activity.

Under the system, each handset must be linked to a specific SIM card. If the SIM is changed, the phone will not work unless the new pairing is registered. "Under the system, a specific phone and the SIM used in it will be identified together, meaning only the registered SIM can be used in that handset," the BTRC chairman said.

The commission has restricted the number of SIMs allowed under one NID from 15 to 10, with operators deactivating excess SIMs from 1 November.

Registration rules for foreign-bought or gifted phones

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) says foreign-bought or gifted handsets will not be registered automatically under NEIR and must complete special registration within 30 days of entering Bangladesh. 

To do this, users will need to submit the required handset information through an SMS process once the system becomes active or register directly through the portal at https://neir.btrc.gov.bd. 

After completing this step, the device will be recognised under NEIR and allowed to receive full mobile network service.

Why NEIR is being introduced

Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, special assistant to the chief adviser on posts, telecommunications, and information technology, described NEIR as a national security and governance tool. He said it will strengthen e-KYC verification, reduce mobile financial service fraud, curb SIM-related scams, and increase government revenue.

Telecom operators – Grameenphone, Robi, Banglalink, and Teletalk – are upgrading their own Equipment Identity Register (EIR) systems to integrate with the national platform.

Concerns and protests

Ahead of the launch, mobile phone traders announced nationwide shop closures on 19 November, protesting the policy and the detention of the Sumash Tech CEO. The Mobile Business Community, Bangladesh (MBCB) said NEIR would reduce handset sales and disrupt the market. The telecom ministry rejected the allegations.

Impact on users and the market

According to the BTRC, local manufacturers – now producing most handsets sold in Bangladesh – will benefit as illegal imports shrink. The system will also help track stolen phones and ensure fair competition by removing refurbished and cloned devices from the market.

Industry representatives have called for a clear re-registration process for reused handsets, noting that many phones change ownership within families.

How to check if your handset is registered

The BTRC advises users to verify the legality of any handset before purchasing from retail shops, digital marketplaces, or e-commerce platforms, and to keep the purchase receipt for future reference. A device's registration status can be checked by sending KYD [IMEI number] to 16002 from any mobile phone. Foreign-bought devices will activate on the network initially, but users must complete registration within ten days; otherwise, the handset will be treated as illegal, and the user will receive an SMS notification during the observatory period.