AMTOB Clarifies: No New Limit on SIMs per NID Yet

The Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) has clarified that the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has not issued any directive to reduce the number of SIM registrations per National ID (NID) to five from January 1, 2026.

In a press release issued on December 30, AMTOB described recent news reports suggesting the limit as “incorrect and misleading,” warning that such misinformation could create unnecessary concern among customers and businesses.

The statement emphasized that limiting SIM numbers alone is not an effective method to prevent mobile misuse, fraud, or criminal activity. Instead, robust customer verification, real-time monitoring, data analysis, and advanced fraud detection technologies provide a more effective solution. Imposing additional restrictions on legitimate users and companies could inadvertently drive them toward informal or unregulated channels, increasing security risks.

The mobile telecom sector affirmed its commitment to protecting consumer rights and choice while supporting individuals, entrepreneurs, small and medium enterprises, and technology-driven services. The industry continues to work closely with regulatory authorities to ensure that policies balance security, access, innovation, and consumer rights in Bangladesh’s path toward sustainable digital and economic development.

Previously, on July 30, BTRC had issued a directive allowing a maximum of 10 SIMs per NID. Those holding more than 10 SIMs were advised to voluntarily deactivate the excess within three months starting August 1, after which BTRC, with the help of its Central Biometric Verification Monitoring Platform vendor, would compile user lists and instruct operators to deactivate the extra SIMs. The process was expected to take five to six months.

DBTech/AM/IH/OR