Biometric (fingerprint) registration of all mobile sets in the country has been completed. This will allow mobile phone users to be able to use their handsets, SIM, safely.
Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar disclosed this information while addressing as the chief guest the inaugural function of the Virtual National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) pilot program on Thursday.
He said, "The initiative was taken to stop the activities of those involved in making, importing and selling illegal mobile phone sets."
Noting that the NEIR system is a milestone for the country, he said, "It is a tool for those who try to keep the individual, the society and the country safe. Recently, there has been a trend of committing crime in the country, including online. Its field is limitless. As a result, we have to be careful and aware of this issue."
Drawing the attention of BTRC and persons concerned to this issue, the minister said that it was necessary to ensure that the registration of the mobile sets which were in operation in the country till June 30 was completed. If necessary, you can register each SIM. The minister urged all to be vigilant so that no mobile phone user is harassed in any way.
The National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) was officially launched on Thursday to provide order and security in the sector through the registration of mobile handsets used in the country after SIM.
The minister further said that, "The unauthorized phone sets will not be switched off from today. This is an interim activity. Much later it will be decided which ones will be closed."
Welcoming everyone, BTRC Commissioner AKM Shahiduzzaman said that Bangladesh has started a new chapter in the digital revolution through this programme.
After that Brigadier General Md Shahidul Alam, director general of Spectrum Division of BTRC raised the technical issues.
Representatives of Banglalink, Grameenphone, Robi and Synesis IT spoke on behalf of the mobile operators on how they are implementing NEIR at the press conference.
Speaking on behalf of the operators, Shahab Uddin, managing director of state-owned telephone operator Teletalk, said they would also be a part of the process by next September.
Yasir Ajman, managing director of Grameenphone, described the event as a ‘milestone’ and a day of joy and celebration.
Telecommunications Secretary Afzal Hossain said that these activities play an important role in reducing cyber crime in the country.
BTRC Chairman Shyam Sundar Sikder presided over the function while Zakir Hossain Khan, deputy director of BTRC conducted the function. BTRC Vice President Subrata Kumar Roy, Commissioner and Director General of the organization and BTCL Managing Director Dr Matin also participated in the event.
