Bangladesh is preparing to launch the National Equipment Identity Register, or NEIR, a national system that will track mobile phones by their IMEI numbers to stop mobile smuggling, tax evasion and the sale of cloned or refurbished devices. The move aims to protect buyers and make the market fairer by registering phones and blocking unregistered devices from mobile networks. The government has already said it will register phones that were connected to networks before the launch and it has extended the deadline for owners of unregistered phones to complete their registration, giving traders and users time to adjust. Many people use cheaper grey-market phones because they cost less, but those devices often come without warranty, updates or service support. NEIR should make it easier to trace stolen phones, reduce fraud, and help honest retailers who follow the rules. Traders and shop owners are worried because parts of the market rely on grey imports and some shops closed in protest, but authorities plan to ease the transition by cutting import taxes and adjusting duties on locally assembled phones to help lower prices. The system works by checking every handset’s unique 15-digit code when it connects to a network and by keeping a secure national database so cloned or fake IMEIs can be spotted and blocked. For consumers this means safer phones, more reliable service and better chances of recovering lost or stolen devices. For local businesses the change offers a path to more stable sales, better warranties and stronger trust with buyers, if shops update how they sell and service phones. To succeed, NEIR will need clear rules, fair enforcement and public education so people understand how to check a phone’s status and register devices when needed. Industry leaders say the plan could boost formal sales, improve after-sale care and encourage more local investment in repair and warranty services. If taxes and supply rules are adjusted carefully, legal phone prices should become closer to what many buyers can afford. The launch could also push the market toward branded channels and reduce unsafe, low-quality imports. With practical steps like help for small shops, online checks for IMEI legality and clearer rules for sellers, NEIR has the chance to make the phone market safer, fairer and more reliable for all buyers and sellers. Experts say the shift could create jobs in repair, testing and warranty services if buyers use official channels. Small repair shops could earn certification and new training would help technicians learn proper repair and quality checks. Police and regulators would gain better tools to stop phone theft and return recovered devices. If rules stay fair and promised tax cuts arrive, the market could become more honest and help local businesses.
