BTRC Urges Users to Deregister Unused Phones as SIM Limit Cut to 10
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) is reducing the number of SIM cards allowed against a single National Identity Card (NID) to 10, down from the previously permitted limits of 20 and later 15. As a result, historical data in the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) mapping now shows a significantly higher number of handsets linked to many NIDs, according to Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology.
The regulator has urged users not to panic and has advised them to deregister mobile phones they no longer use. Here is a guide on why handset deregistration is necessary and how to complete the process.
Why Deregistration Is Necessary
To enhance security in the telecommunications sector and curb the use of illegal mobile handsets, Bangladesh has introduced the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system. Under this system, unregistered or unofficial handsets are barred from operating on local networks.
If a registered handset owner wishes to sell or transfer a device, the handset must first be deregistered. For deregistration, the user must have a SIM card registered with their NID inserted in the phone and provide the last four digits of their NID.
How to Deregister a Registered Handset
Via the NEIR Portal:
Users must log in to the NEIR portal and access the dashboard. From the device list, select the handset to be deregistered, click on the “Deregister” option, and complete the process by providing the required information.
*Via USSD Channel (16161#):
Go to the phone’s call option and dial *16161#. Then select the deregistration option and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
It is mandatory that the SIM card used during deregistration is registered under the same NID as the handset. In cases involving cloned or duplicate IMEI numbers, users must also provide the SIM number of the next intended user as additional information.
Background
BTRC initially announced the launch of the NEIR system on December 16. However, following demands from mobile phone traders, the decision was deferred, and the system officially came into operation on January 1. Since its launch, the system has enabled authorities and users to easily track how many SIM cards are registered against an NID and how many devices are associated with each SIM.
DBTech/MUM/OR
