BTRC Moves to Bring All Mobile Importers Under a Unified, Legal Framework

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) aims to bring all mobile phone businesses under a unified and legally compliant framework by regularising import and vendor licence listings and guiding unauthorised actors toward the legal route.

This message was conveyed on Tuesday, 9 December, during a meeting held at the BTRC headquarters with representatives of Mobile Business Community Bangladesh.

Following detailed discussions on simplifying the existing process of mobile handset import and vendor enlistment certification, the meeting resulted in three key decisions.

According to the decisions, vendor enlistment certificates will be issued within a short time upon submission of minimal documentation. To prevent the entry of clone, copy, used, or refurbished mobile handsets into Bangladesh, BTRC will allow import approvals not only on the basis of agreements with original manufacturers but also based on authorisation letters from any approved supplier (Authorized Distributor), replacing the earlier requirement for contractual documents.

At the same time, BTRC called on representatives of Mobile Business Community Bangladesh to submit a clear written proposal on how to further ease the import process while ensuring that no clone, copy, used, or refurbished handsets enter the domestic market.

Responding to the organisation’s request, BTRC also announced that all unsold mobile handsets currently available in the Bangladeshi market may be regularised, provided the relevant information is submitted in the prescribed format by 15 December 2025. Necessary action will then be taken.

Additionally, BTRC assured full cooperation to all entities importing mobile phones legally in accordance with the “Guideline for Use, Marketing and Listing of Wireless Equipment, 2024.”

DBTech/IH/OR