BTRC to launch mobile phone handset database

FE Team | Published: January 22, 2019 00:00:57

The telecom regulator is launching a database of information on mobile phone handsets to prevent theft and illegal import, reports bdnews24.com.
It will be possible to recover stolen mobile phones once the database is launched today (Tuesday), Bangladesh Telecommuni-cation Regulatory Commission spokesman Zakir Hossain Khan told the news agency on Monday.
The other details of the services such as how the users will be able to know whether their handsets are on the database will be revealed during the launch, Zakir said.
Earlier, the telecom regulator said it had moved to crack down on illegal mobile handsets.
Once the process starts, any SIM other than the one specified with the handset will no longer work on it.
After some time, all SIMs will become inactive on the handsets. As a result, customers will be forced to stop using fake or illegal handsets.
Although there are no official figures, there are an estimated 30 million illegal handsets in Bangladesh.
The BTRC says it has taken the initiative to prevent illegal imports, cloning, theft, health risks, to ensure security and prevent loss of revenue.