BTRC office vandalised amid NEIR launch

A group of people vandalised the office of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) in Agargaon, Dhaka, around 4:25pm today, amid the launch of the NEIR.

The glass wall at the front of the BTRC office was broken and damaged.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Deputy Commissioner Ibne Mizan of the Tejgaon Division said a few people from the scene were detained for questioning. He said they appeared to be mobile phone traders.

A BTRC official alleged that some mobile phone traders gathered in front of the BTRC building around 3pm, and some of their leaders were invited inside the office for discussions.

Suddenly, some individuals were seen throwing bricks and damaging the office premises.

Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, special assistant to the chief adviser with executive authority over telecom and ICT, said customs duties on legally imported mobile phones had been reduced significantly, down to 10 percent from 25 percent.

"Despite this, those who carried out the attack and vandalism at BTRC are in no way above the law. Everyone involved in such disgraceful and anti-state activities will be identified and brought to justice through legal procedures," he said.

He added that strict operations would be launched at all land ports and airports to prevent illegal mobile phone imports.

He also noted that NEIR is crucial for digital security, alongside the conduct of free and fair elections.

BTRC Chairman Major General Md Emdad ul Bari said the demands of the mobile phone traders had already been addressed, despite the incident.

He said some traders wanted to import refurbished or used phones, which is illegal under the commerce ministry's policy, adding that any decision rests with the ministry and is beyond BTRC's jurisdiction.

Leaders of the Mobile Business Community, an association of mobile phone retailers, could not be reached.

Shamim Mollah, senior vice president of the Mobile Business Community, said no mobile trader was involved in today's BTRC vandalism.

"A group of inquisitive people and mobile phone customers could be responsible for the attack."

Earlier, the BTRC postponed the launch and extended the deadline for mobile handset dealers to submit information on unsold or stock devices until December 31, 2025. After that, NEIR was launched today.

Expatriates will be allowed to bring two new handsets in addition to their used one, and will have a three-month grace period to register them with NEIR.

During this period, the handsets will not be blocked. These handsets can be registered in the NEIR using travel documents.

Previously, the Posts and Telecommunications Division granted a three-month delay to the NEIR launch after handset sellers, affected by the blocking of grey-market devices, staged a protest at the Karwan Bazar intersection in Dhaka on December 10.

The BTRC says NEIR was introduced to curb illegal handsets, block stolen phones, and bring order to Bangladesh's fragmented mobile market.

Technically, NEIR links three identifiers—IMEI, SIM (subscriber identity module) number, and IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity)—to determine network access. It does not intercept calls, read messages, or monitor internet activity.

Concerns remain because NEIR permanently links devices and SIMs in a central database, creating a strong digital identity that could enable tracing through metadata if combined with other systems.

Taiyeb said the new Telecommunications Ordinance includes strict safeguards to prevent misuse of SIM, subscriber databases, and the NEIR database, with provisions for severe punishment in case of any abuse.