National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR)

The test activities of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) will begin from 01 July 2021. The IMEI number of the operational mobile phones will be adjoined to their respective customer’s NID number and SIM number(MSISDN) and will be registered into the NEIR. Every customer’s handset, being currently operational under the mobile phone network system will be registered automatically. Therefore, those handsets will not be deactivated from 01 July 2021. From 01 July 2021, all mobile phones, newly registered into the mobile phone network system will be activated primarily and verified by the NEIR. If the handset is valid, it will be registered into the NEIR automatically and will remain active. The customers will be informed with a message about the handsets that are invalid. And those handsets will be remained connected to the network for an observational period of 3 months. After the observational period, further steps will be taken according to the government’s decision.

Guidelines before purchasing or selling handsets:

Before purchasing a mobile handset from any medium (sales center, online sales center, e-commerce sites, etc.) from 01 July 2021, you must verify the validity of the handset by following the procedure described and keep the purchase receipt of the handset. If the mobile handset is valid, it will be automatically registered in the NEIR system.

Step-1: Go to the message option of your mobile phone and type KYD 15 digit IMEI number. For example: KYD 123456789012345

Step-2: After typing the IMEI number, send it to 16002.

Step-3: You will be able to know about the validity of your handset through a reply SMS.

Mobile handset registration process for purchased or gifted from abroad

Legally purchased or gifted handsets at the individual level from abroad will be automatically activated on the network. An SMS will be provided providing information/documents for registration by online within 10 days. If the registration is not completed within 10 days, the handset will not be considered valid and the customer will be informed about it via SMS and will be connected to the network for a trial period. After the trial period ends, further action will be taken as per the decision of the government. The procedure for registering a handset is as follows:

Step-1: Visit the link www.neir.btrc.gov.bd and register your personal account.

Step-2: Go to the Special Registration section of the portal and give the IMEI number of your mobile handset.

Step-3: Upload a photo/scanned copy of the required documents (e.g. passport visa / immigration information, purchase receipt etc.) and press the Submit button.

Step-4: The handset will be registered automatically if it is valid. If the handset is not valid, the customer will be notified via SMS and will be connected to the network for a trial period. After the trial period ends, further action will be taken as per the decision of the government.

Note: The described services can also be availed with the help of the nearest customer care center of your mobile operator.

Note: According to the existing Baggage Rules, a person can bring a maximum of two duty-free handsets from abroad and six more handsets subject to payment of duty.

The process of de-registering a registered mobile handset

The handset can be handed over without de-registration for 3 months during the trial period. Note that a customer can use any handset with any SIM registered in his name. Details of de-registration will be given after the trial period has elapsed.

The process of verifying the current status of the mobile handset you are using

The current status of the used mobile handset can be ascertained by following the procedure given below.

Step-1: Dial *16161 # from your mobile handset.

Step-2: Select the Status Check from the options displayed on the screen.

Step-3: Type the 15 digit IMEI number of your handset in the automatic box.

Step-4: Make sure to select YES when you see an automatic box with YES/NO option.

Step-5: Update status of used mobile phone/handset will be informed through a reply SMS.

Note: The services described above can be availed through the link www.neir.btrc.gov.bd with the existing Citizen Portal or Customer Care Center nearest to your mobile operator.

What to do if you want to know anything related to NEIR

If you need to know anything related to NEIR, you can dial BTRC's Helpdesk number 100 or mobile operators' Customer Care Number 121 and learn from the operators' Customer Care Center

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission

SLFAQAnswer
1What is NEIRNEIR means National Equipment Identity Register. NEIR will control Handset registration/de-registration, IMEI blocking centrally.
2When NEIR will be launched?NEIR will be launched on 1st July 2021
3Why NEIR is being launched?Following are the objective of the project:
  • To enforce proper registration of all mobile devices in a central database
  • Ability to identify the owner of the mobile device
  • Ability to bar devices that are imported illegally and not registered
  • Eliminate the use of mobile phones in criminal activities
  • Eliminate counterfeit/substandard terminals and infringing of trademark products
4How to identify my Handset is authentic?
  • Before purchasing the device, subscribers can send an SMS in the following text format: KYD_Space_15-digit IMEI number of the device to 16002. In reply SMS, customer will be notified whether the handset is authentic or not. It can be checked from any handset with any connection.
  • Customer can get the IMEI number by dialing *#06# in the keypad. For new HS IMEI can be found from IMEI sticker.
  • For every SIM slot, there will be a separate IMEI number. Thus, if the handset has 2 SIM slots then there will 2 IMEI numbers.
5Is there any charge for sending SMS to 16002 for checking Handset authenticity?No charge, it is Free of Cost.
6What is the maximum time to get reply SMS for handset authenticity query by sending SMS to 16002?Within few minutes
7Can I register the Handset in NEIR through self-registration - Foreign purchased handset for personal useLegally purchased or gifted handsets from abroad at the individual level will automatically be activated on the network. SMS will be provided for registration by providing information / documents online through the following Link: www.neir.btrc.gov.bd within ten days. If the registration is completed within ten days, the handset will be considered valid. If the registration is not completed within that time, the handset will not be considered valid and the customer will be informed about via SMS and will be connected to the network for the experimental period (till 30th Sep'21). After the experimental period has passed, further action will be taken as per the decision of the government.
8Can I register the Handset in NEIR list through self-registration - For local purchased Handset not in NEIR list?If the local Handset is not authentic (not in NEIR list) then it cannot be registered at this moment
9Can I register the Handset in NEIR list through self-registration for Foreigner with foreign purchased Handset & local SIM?Yes. Legally purchased or gifted handsets from abroad at the individual level will automatically be activated on the network. SMS will be provided for registration by providing information / documents online through the following Link: www.neir.btrc.gov.bd within 10 days. If the registration is completed within 10 days, the handset will be considered valid. If the registration is not completed within that time, the handset will not be considered valid and the customer will be informed about via SMS and will be connected to the network for the experimental period (till 30th Sep'21). After the experimental period has passed, further action will be taken as per the decision of the government.
10In case of special registration whether any fees/Tax will be required or not?Not Applicable till further instruction
11How many days customers will get to register handsets sourced from abroad into the country (i.e. carried out inside luggage, purchased online from overseas, gifted from overseas personnel)?Within 10 Days
12What will happen, if handsets sourced from abroad into the country will not applied for registration within 10 days?If the registration is not completed within 10 days the handset will not be considered as valid handset and customer will be informed via SMS but it will be connected to the network for the experimental period (till 30th Sep'21). After the experimental period has passed, further action will be taken as per the decision of the government.
13Will customer get any temporary network access before registration handsets sourced from abroad into the country? If yes, then what will be the document submission timeline for temporary access to the network.Legally purchased or gifted handsets from abroad at the individual level will automatically be activated on the network. SMS will be provided for registration by providing information / documents online through the following Link: www.neir.btrc.gov.bd within 10 days. If the registration is completed within 10 days, the handset will be considered valid. If the registration is not completed within that time, the handset will not be considered valid and the customer will be informed about via SMS and will be connected to the network for the experimental period (till 30th Sep'21). After the experimental period has passed, further action will be taken as per the decision of the government.
14What are the Required Documents to submit and fees for self-registration in case handsets sourced from abroad into the country (i.e. carried out inside luggage, purchased online from overseas, gifted from overseas personnel)?Please visit the link www.neir.btrc.gov.bd and go to the Special Registration section of the portal and give the IMEI number of the mobile handset. Upload the customer's photo/scanned copy of the required documents (e.g. passport visa / immigration information, purchase receipt etc.) and follow further instruction in portal.
15For Foreign Handset registration what are the required documents?Required documents for Special Registration: Customer's photo/scanned copy of the required documents (e.g. passport visa / immigration information, purchase receipt etc.)
16Which devices are within NEIR scope? Example Modem, tab, I-pad, IoT devices, VTS devices etc.?Any device which are using mobile networks will be within NEIR scope
17From which shops we can buy authentic HS? How to understand authentic shop?
  • Handset authentication is not relevant to any shop or any Handset brand.
  • Customers can buy handsets/devices from any shop or any brand. To know the authenticity of the device before purchasing, customers are advised to send SMS to 16002 with following text format KYD_Space_15 digit IMEI number of the device. In reply SMS, customer will be notified whether the handset is authentic or not. It can be checked from any handset with any connection.
18I have sent SMS but not getting reply, should I buy the device?It usually takes few minutes to get reply. If you don’t get any reply you can try again after sometime with correct SMS format. As per government instruction, customers are advised to purchase only authentic handsets.
19In case of online purchase/e-commerce purchase how to identify the authenticity of HS?Before purchasing any mobile handset from any medium (sales center, online sales center, e-commerce site, etc.) from 01 July 2021, you must verify the authenticity of the handset by following the procedure and keep the purchase receipt of the handset.
20What is IMEI number and how to get it?
  • “IMEI” means International Mobile Equipment Identity. It is usually a 15-digit code that uniquely identifies mobile phone sets.
  • In most mobile communications devices, the IMEI appears on the display when the user enters the character sequence *#06# into the keypad.
  • IMEI is also printed on the handset box, stickered in warranty card, imprinted/stickered underneath battery (for the handsets whose battery is removable)
  • In the smartphones, IMEI can also be found in
  • iOS devices: Settings > General > About phone
  • Android: Settings > About phone
  • For every SIM slot, there will be a separate IMEI code. Thus, if the handset has 2 SIM slots then there will 2 IMEI codes. To check authenticity, any of the IMEI can be searched in NEIR database.
21Is it possible that someone else can use my HS?The handset can be transferred to anyone during the experimental period (till 30th Sept'21). Note that details of IMEI de-registration will be shared after the experimental period.
22In case of two SIM slot HS what will happen if anyone inserts 2 SIM at a go?Each IMEI of the SIM SLOT will be treated separately
23If I have 2 slots in HS can I use different operators SIM in different slot at a time?Yes, it is possible
24Is there any validation/authentication process of original money receipt for special registration incase of handset purchased from abroad?Respective authority will check the authenticity of the submitted documents.
25How can I know that special registration process of IMEI is completed?Customer can check registration status from citizen portal (www.neir.btrc.gov.bd). If the HS is not authentic customer will be notified thru SMS.
26Can I handover my Handset to any other person (gift, sale)?The handset can be transferred to anyone during the experimental period (till 30th Sept'21). After that you need to follow the Govt instruction if there is any.
27What customer will need to do before purchasing used or second-hand device?Before purchasing second-hand/used device customer need to check the Device authenticity by dialing *16002#
28I have purchased the handset long time ago but I didn’t use it recently, do I need to register my handset?NEIR will be launched from 1st July 2021 and all Handsets used till 30th June 2021 will be automatically registered. Customer will need not to do any action for registration.
29I have won a handset from a contest, what are the information/document i need to ensure from organizer?If the handset is authentic customer can use the handset, If handset is not authentic customer needs to contact with the organization.
30Can I recover my Lost Handset with the help of NEIR system?Currently this option is not available. Once such option is introduced, we will communicate accordingly
31Do I need to complete device Registration for existing Handset or it will be automatically register with my NID of attached MSISDN?NEIR will be launched from 1st July 2021 and all Handsets used till 30th June 2021 will be automatically registered. Customer will need not to do any action for registration.

How Was Your Experience?

Disapointing

Bad

Average

Good

Great