Despite justifiable initiative some important questions still remain

The initiative to introduce the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system is commendable. My point is: Mobile handsets are now being manufactured in the country. Therefore, the initiative to end the market of handsets smuggled through tax evasion to encourage local production should be viewed with appreciation. But the question is how many times will BTRC take such initiative, and how many times will we appreciate it and be disappointed?

I have written about controlling the market of smuggled handsets to encourage local production since 2016, when the world-famous global brand Samsung decided to set up a factory in Bangladesh. Samsung set up its factory in 2018 while domestic companies like Symphony and Walton also started producing handsets in full swing in the factories they set up locally. Domestic industrialists in this sector then demanded to ensure local production and return on investment. Supporting that demand, BTRC decided to launch the NEIR system for the first time in 2019.

The trial run of the Tk 30 crore NEIR server was set to start on July 1, 2021. BTRC then said that the active handsets will be automatically incorporated on the server, regardless of where they are purchased. Later, it was announced that the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identification) numbers of the handsets both produced locally and imported will have to be submitted to BTRC in advance to get listed on the NEI server. The activation date and the procedure of import of certain handsets and the registration method were also announced.

Meanwhile, it was announced that the unregistered handsets will no longer be active on the networks of mobile operators after a certain date. A shortcode was also introduced to check whether the handset was already registered in the BTRC's NEIR system. This very commendable initiative became inactive within three months. Later, it was found that smuggled handsets were being sold quite freely and their IMEI numbers were also being activated on the mobile operators' networks. This means that although the much-hyped NEIR system is actually effective for registration, it is not capable of controlling unlisted handsets or even if it is capable, the system is inactive. In the face of widespread criticism, the NEIR system was announced to be implemented again. Then all the measures were relaxed again. The then Minister of Posts and Telecommunications told reporters that due to the NEIR system, expatriates were facing problems or harassment when they came to the country and used domestic SIM cards in active handsets abroad.

As a result, the NEIR system was relaxed for further testing. However, the NEIR system was not activated again after that. As a result, the market for smuggled handsets started to expand rapidly. Outlets selling official handsets were seen empty while unauthorised handset sellers were getting plenty of customers. This happened as the handsets are of the same model, but the price of the unofficial ones is much lower.

BTRC gave detailed information about the re-launch of the NEIR system at a press conference on October 29. A press conference informed that a system will be introduced to register handsets purchased or gifted from abroad at the individual level. However, the press meet didn’t give any clear information as to how an expatriate or foreigner who regularly uses a handset in another country will use a Bangladeshi SIM card in their previously used handset. If this is not made clear, old complications may come to the fore again. When we go abroad and buy a SIM card from the airport with our passport number, the SIM is automatically activated in the handset we use. Will Bangladesh also be like this after December 16? In that case, will the expatriate’s SIM card be activated in the handset he uses with his passport or NID? Will Bangladeshi mobile operators automatically activate it? Will the SIM card be activated?

BTRC also said that in case of SIM card transfer, the device will have to be deregistered from the NEIR system. When we go abroad, the SIM card of the relevant country is activated in the handset we use. When we return home, the SIM card of the previously used domestic operator will be activated again. The question is: Do we have to go through this deregistration process every time we come from abroad? That issue has not been clarified either. We ourselves often give our used handsets to close relatives for use. In this case, the deregistration process will create both complexity and annoyance.

Initially, it may seem that this deregistration process will help prevent handset theft and robbery. But the reality is that security agencies in the country already have a fairly advanced system for tracking IMEI numbers. Thieves and robbers also know this. Technological developments and the default security system of the handsets are also being discussed.

The thieves know this. For this reason, stolen or snatched handsets are usually not activated on the country's network. While making several reports and talking to police investigators, it was learned that stolen or snatched handsets are usually not activated on the country's network. Those are sent to other countries or their components are sold. Sources said that stolen handsets are sent to some factories for IMEI number change and are brought to the market anew. Moreover, criminals who commit crimes by repeatedly changing devices or SIM cards are one step ahead technically.

An investigator told me some four years ago that criminals nowadays are quite smart. Since the biometric registration of SIM cards was introduced, criminals no longer change SIM cards repeatedly as in that case the chances of being caught are high. So, they use foreign SIM cards while roaming. Again, using WhatsApp, Telegram or similar apps activated with foreign mobile operator numbers can also be easily used. VPN technology is used as well. As a result, tracking them is also very difficult in many cases. Although this deregistration process is not effective in catching thieves and robbers or smart criminals, ordinary users may suffer.

BTRC chairman's speech in a press conference raised another concern. He said that BTRC will be able to track devices and SIM cards at the same time from December 16. Is that with location tracking? So will BTRC also monitor the movements of every citizen from now on? Although in this era of extreme advancement in information technology, location tracking is now an old technology. Facebook, Google, Uber, and countless other such apps are not only tracking your location, but they are also constantly monitoring what words you are saying and even what you are thinking while using artificial intelligence technology. But in the case of a state organization, there is some legal basis for monitoring the movements of citizens. If BTRC gets the authority to track or reserves the power to turn off any device or SIM card at any time, then its legal basis and boundaries should also be made clear to the citizens.

One thing to remember. Due to repeated indecision by the regulatory authority, the market for 'unofficial' handsets smuggled into the country has expanded. Those who have brought 'unofficial' handsets to the market, have opened outlets in various places including big shopping malls with valid trade licenses. As a result, when people buy any product from these outlets with receipts, it is definitely legal. There is no scope to call them illegal in one declaration. Again, the government or the regulatory agencies have no way to ignore the financial losses of those who are deliberately bringing handsets to the market by taking advantage of the government's inaction. The government is also responsible for the expansion of its business, be it the current interim government, the past, or the fallen government. As a result, it would be fair to the citizens to automatically list all the handsets that have been used in the system since December 16 until the NEIR system came into effect. The authorities should close the opportunity to market the unauthorised handsets that have already hit the market before December 16 by legalizing those.

Rashed Mehedi, Telecommunications and Information Technology Sector Analyst; Editor, Views Bangladesh