Postpone NEIR

Mobile phone traders yesterday formed a human chain demanding the postponement of the implementation of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system and the release of colleagues arrested earlier over protests against the initiative.

The demonstration was held in front of the Bashundhara City Shopping Mall in Dhaka.

The traders also demanded the withdrawal of cases filed by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) against mobile phone traders, the release of those detained in connection with the vandalism at the BTRC office, a reduction of total taxes on mobile phone imports to 10-12 percent, permission to import used mobile phones, and simplification of the handset import process.

Earlier on Tuesday, traders staged a similar human chain in front of Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka.

The government launched the NEIR system on January 1, reducing duties on legally imported mobile phones from around 60 percent to 43.4 percent and allowing previously illegal handsets to be brought under a legal framework.

On the same day, a group of people attacked the BTRC office, during which 45 people were arrested.

Fresh protests broke out later in January, prompting police to disperse demonstrators from Karwan Bazar and other areas using batons, sound grenades, and tear gas.

Despite the protests, the government yesterday reiterated its decision to continue the NEIR system.

Meanwhile, the Mobile Phone Industry Owners Association of Bangladesh (MIOB), which represents local mobile phone manufacturers, welcomed the implementation of NEIR at a press conference on Tuesday, describing it as a significant step towards consumer protection and market discipline.

The NEIR is a centralized database that records the International Mobile Equipment Identity numbers of all mobile phones used in Bangladesh.

The system aims to curb the use of illegal and counterfeit handsets, prevent tax evasion, reduce phone-related crimes, and ensure that only legally imported devices can access mobile networks.

However, the system has raised surveillance concerns among some experts. In response, the government said the telecom law includes provisions that make surveillance using SIM cards or devices a punishable crime.