BTRC records 13.5cr handsets on IMEI database in 2 yrs
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has enlisted 13.53 crore handsets in its NOC Automation and IMEI Data source (NAID) since its launch in January last year to facilitate consumers to check on the legality of handsets before purchasing.
The telecom regulator disclosed the info at an agreement signing ceremony with a JV entity - Synesis IT Small, Radisson and Computer World - to set up National Equipment Identification Register system on Wednesday at its office in Dhaka.
BTRC officials in the function informed that the installation of the system would be completed by March 2021.
BTRC's NAID program and NEIR and telecom operators' EIR system would work as an integrated system. NEIR will be directly linked to the telcos' EIR program. NEIR would confirm the telcos' EIR system about the originality of handsets consequently making it possible for the telecom operators to provide service to consumers to gain access to the network.
On November 5 this season, the commission awarded the work of establishing the NEIR program to the jv entity at a cost of Tk 29.81 crore to avoid illegal cellular handset usage, to stopping misuse of handsets and leverage the government’s earnings from the handset product sales.
Once the system is installed, it would bar a myriad of illegitimate handsets or SIM-based products from accessing telecom systems.
BTRC Director Standard Brigadier Standard Md Shahidul Alam, vice-chairman Subrata Roy Maitra, director Lieutenant Colonel Mohammod Faisal, and deputy director Zakir Hossain Khan, among others, were present at the function.
At the event, BTRC chairman Md Jahurul Haque stated that the federal government would earn an additional Tk 4,000 crore in revenues after the installation of the NEIR system is complete.
He also expected that the jv company, assigned to install the system, would be able to complete their task within the timeframe.
The BTRC officials also informed that the handsets, which would be brought in the united states from abroad, will be activated through NEIR web portal based on purchase documents.
The handsets which will be brought in the country from abroad and or received as gifts will be allowed to access the telecom network after submission of satisfactory documents.
