NEIR service to be launched from Victory Day, handset prices won’t go up

A maximum of 1,000,000 fake handsets of a model of mobile phone have spread in the country’s market and a quarter is committing various financial and social crimes using these handsets. However, buyers are unaware of the matter and are not getting warranty benefits purchasing these handsets.

To deal with this situation, the National Equipment Identity Registrar (NEIR) service is being launched from the Victory Day. There are concerns in the market about whether the price of mobile phones will increase or not if this service is launched. However, traders have confirmed that handset prices won’t go up further.

BTRC Commissioner Mahmud Hossain said that efforts were being made to implement this service since 2018. In the interest of the safety of citizens, a solution to the process of bringing handsets in the market through legal channel will come by December.

He also said that the quality of mobile handsets is directly related to the quality of the network. Therefore, it is necessary to implement the promise of not increasing prices after the implementation of the NEIR. In addition, no phone will be switched off before December 16.

He made the announcement as the chief guest at a TRNB seminar on November 26. TRNB President Samir Kumar Dey chaired the event while Organizing Secretary Al-Amin Dewan delivered the welcome speech. Bangladesh Police Additional Deputy Director Md. Zahidul Islam, MIOB President Zakaria Shahid, Mobile Phone Distributors Association President Abdullah Al Harun Raju, Bangladesh Computer Samity President Mohammad Zahirul Islam, Synesis IT CSO Aminul Bari Sourav and Fintech company Nagad VP Mohammad Zahidul Islam were present at the event.

Brig Gen Md Aminul Haque, director general of the commission's Legal and Licensing and Spectrum divisions of BTRC said that this service is very secure. He also mentioned that once the service is launched, stolen or lost handsets can be deactivated sitting at home.

MIOB President Zakaria Shahid said that NEIR is not our project, it is a national initiative. There is no scope for syndicates in the mobile business, it is possible to import within a month.

Abdullah Al Harun Raju said, only 500-100 people are involved in the 'gray' business; the greater impact is due to handsets freely entering from the border. Therefore, it is important to introduce NEIR.

Bangladesh Computer Samity President Zahirul Islam said that there are about 250 domestic and foreign brands of mobile phones in the market. Although the commission is 8-10 percent higher, the business is being conducted in accordance with the law.