Mobile Mayhem: Syndicate Alleged Behind NEIR Disruption

The unregistered mobile business association, Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB), has alleged that a syndicate is operating behind the country’s mobile industry instability under the guise of implementing the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR). MBCB claims that the NEIR system is causing customer data to be transmitted to neighboring countries and that multiple International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers have been registered under single individuals without their knowledge. They also stated that many such registrations have already occurred.

On 11 January (Sunday), MBCB held a press conference at the Sagar-Runi Hall of the Dhaka Reporters Unity titled “Unmasking the Architects of NEIR Launch and Political Affiliates.” Written statements were read by MBCB’s International Affairs Secretary Anisuzzaman Sohel and representative Faisal Azad. Although top leaders, including MBCB President Mohammad Aslam and Senior Vice President Shamim Molla, were supposed to attend, they were absent due to security concerns.

Anisul Rahman Sohel, MBCB’s publicity secretary, claimed that the NEIR implementation has created instability, violence, and significant economic losses in the mobile sector, driven by a well-organized syndicate with specific individual influence. He named Md. Zahirul Islam, managing director of Smart Technologies Limited, as a key member of a 9-company mobile syndicate allegedly using NEIR to monopolize the mobile market. Zahirul Islam is listed as the 18th accused in a July 2024 mass uprising-related murder case and faces anti-corruption commission allegations of money laundering and market manipulation.

MBCB reported that after NEIR went live, hundreds of thousands of legitimate mobile phones were suddenly disconnected from networks, causing severe inconvenience to both businesses and customers. Many complaints have surfaced regarding an abnormal number of IMEIs registered against a single NID. The association demanded an immediate suspension of NEIR, the formation of an independent investigative commission, and strict action against those responsible.

Anisuzzaman questioned how someone with alleged corruption charges could influence the implementation of NEIR for personal gain. While MBCB acknowledged the potential benefits of NEIR in protecting customer data, they strongly urged the government to investigate the system’s deployment and ensure that customers are not subjected to ongoing harassment or network disruption.

DBTech/RBI/DPO/MUM/OR