Bangladesh鈥檚 mobile handset industry is poised for a major transformation as the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission prepares to introduce the National Equipment Identity Register on December 16, 2025.
The Mobile Phone Industry Owners鈥� Association of Bangladesh said that the move would mark a new chapter for the sector, which has grown rapidly since local manufacturing began in 2017.
According to a press release, issued by the MIOB on Thursday, at present, 17 local and foreign companies produce handsets in Bangladesh, investing over Tk 2,500 crore and employing more than one lakh workers. Locally assembled phones now meet a significant share of domestic demand and hold growing potential for export, creating opportunities for new foreign currency earnings.
The handset ecosystem has also spurred the development of related industries鈥攎odern packaging, printing, batteries, chargers, headphones and data cables鈥攚here an additional Tk 1,500 crore has been invested. Around 50,000鈥�60,000 people are employed in these component sectors. Moreover, 20,000 authorised mobile dealers nationwide employ another 80,000 workers, bringing total employment in production and distribution to about 160,000 people, with nearly 800,000 dependents.
Despite this progress, industry leaders say illegal or 鈥榞rey market鈥� phones pose the biggest threat. These handsets occupy roughly 60 per cent of the market, undermining legitimate manufacturers, discouraging foreign investment and causing an estimated Tk 2,000 crore in annual revenue losses for the government. Such unregistered devices are also frequently linked to financial fraud and other crimes.
The NEIR system will block the use of illegally imported or unregistered phones, ensuring market discipline, protecting investments and strengthening consumer rights. Industry representatives have welcomed the government鈥檚 decisive intervention, read the release.