A mobile phone user can register a maximum of 15 SIMs with one National Identity Card (NID). But against one NID, 231 SIMs were also found in the search by the regulator BTRC. In such a situation, the commission is going to take a strict stand after 5 years of the rule announcement.
According to the relevant sources, 23, 27, 30, 32, and even a maximum of 231 SIMs have been registered against an identity card. The number of customers who have 26 SIMs is 15 thousand 196. 15 thousand 257 people have 30 SIMs each. The number of customers who have 24 SIMs is 20 thousand 700 people. 24 thousand 679 people have 23 SIMs each. On the other hand, 47 thousand 825 people have 20 SIMs each. 7 lakh 23 thousand 923 customers have more than 15 SIMs against a national identity card.
As per the rule, a mobile phone user could register 15 mobile SIMs with one NID. This rule has been in place since December 4, 2017. But mobile phone users are accused of registering more than 15 SIMs. In addition to customer dishonesty, Bangladesh Election Commission also has a role in registering more than 15 SIMs.
The Election Commission issues 10, 13, and 17 digit national identity cards. Earlier in CBVMP (Central Biometrics Verification Monitoring System) solution it was possible for a customer to register 75 (15 against each document) SIMs as there was no mapping of 17-digit and 10-digit National Identity Card numbers and birth certificate numbers, driving license numbers, and passport number. Later, on March 16, 2021, the commission issued instructions on the registration of a maximum of two SIMs using a birth certificate number, driving license number, and passport number.
In this situation, in the current scenario, as there is no mapping between 17 and 10 digit National Identity Card number and birth certificate number, driving license number, and passport number in the CBVMP solution, it is possible for a customer to register 36 (15+15+2+2+2) SIMs.
Due to non-mapping between different types of contact numbers, the current problems are not being able to properly comply with the government’s directive regarding the acquisition of a maximum of 15 SIMs per customer. It is not possible to determine how many SIMs a customer actually owns, it becomes difficult to identify the culprit when a crime is committed using a SIM, a SIM registered in one’s name is being used by another to commit a crime and accurate information cannot be provided to various government agencies for providing various citizen services
When asked about this, Vice Chairman of BTRC Subrata Roy Maitra said that those who have more than 15 SIMs against one NID will have their additional SIMs synchronized. The customer will be given an opportunity to do so prior to complete termination.
He said, besides using a birth certificate, driving license, or passport – more than two SIMs cannot be taken with these documents. It is a temporary arrangement. This rule will change whenever the mobile phone user gets a NID. He will then be included in the quota of 15 SIMs.
According to the related sources, the mapping process of 10-digit national identity card with the 17-digit national identity card number stored in the CBVMP solution from the Election Commission through API started, and the initial phase of mapping was completed on May 18. Among these, it can be seen that the number of 17-digit national identity cards that could not be mapped due to the wrong date of birth is 17 lakh 44 thousand 402. BTRC considers it necessary to take necessary measures to correct them. For this, necessary measures can be taken with the cooperation of the Election Commission in discussion with the mobile phone operators.
It is known that mobile phone operators have already started sending messages to customers whose SIM number is more than 15. Messages will be sent until November. Then extra SIMs will be blocked.