‘Deactivation of illegal mobile handsets soon’

Process of deactivating the illegal mobile handset in the country would begin soon, State Minister for Posts and Telecommunications Tarana Halim said yesterday.

“IMEI database of mobile handset has already been prepared and now we are starting the processes of deactivating the mobile handsets those will be brought to the country through illegal channel,” she added.

“To this end, we are going through different proposals,” the state minister revealed that while talking to the newly elected office bearers and members of the Telecom Reporters Network, Bangladesh (TRNB) at her secretariat office yesterday noon.

Tarana Halim, however, did not specify the time of starting the process of deactivation.

In last year, Bangladesh Mobile Phone Importers Association (BMPIA) and Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) initiated the process of developing IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) database.

IMEI is usually unique a number to identify mobile phone. The IMEI number is used by the operator to identify valid devices and therefore can be used for stopping a stolen phone from accessing that network.

Besides, the state minister said they have planned to introduce modern technology to the Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL).

“Initiative is being taken to develop a mechanism to divert the call to mobile phone automatically after entering a call to BTCL number two or three times if it is not received.”

She also expressed her optimism to introduce 4G mobile service from December and mobile number portability within next 3-4 months.

According to Bangladesh Mobile Phone Importers Association (BMPIA), mobile handset import through legal channel for the first time crossed 3 crore pieces in 2016, up 11 per cent from 2015, with the total value of the imports coming to about Tk 8,000 crore.

Smartphone imports accounted for Tk 6,500 crore. Smartphone import, however, increased by 46 per cent in 2016 to 82 lakh pieces from that of 56.27 lakh pieces in the previous year.

Deactivation of illegal mobile handsets soon

Process of deactivating the illegal mobile handset in the country would begin soon, State Minister for Posts and Telecommunications Tarana Halim said yesterday. IMEI database of mobile handset has already been prepared and now we are starting the processes of deactivating the mobile handsets those will be brought to the country through illegal channel, she added. To this end, we are going through different proposals, the state minister revealed that while talking to the newly elected office bearers and members of the Telecom Reporters Network, Bangladesh (TRNB) at her secretariat office yesterday noon. Tarana Halim, however, did not specify the time of starting the process of deactivation. In last year, Bangladesh Mobile Phone Importers Association (BMPIA) and Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) initiated the process of developing IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) database. IMEI is usually unique a number to identify mobile phone. The IMEI number is used by the operator to identify valid devices and therefore can be used for stopping a stolen phone from accessing that network. Besides, the state minister said they have planned to introduce modern technology to the Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL). Initiative is being taken to develop a mechanism to divert the call to mobile phone automatically after entering a call to BTCL number two or three times if it is not received. She also expressed her optimism to introduce 4G mobile service from December and mobile number portability within next 3-4 months. According to Bangladesh Mobile Phone Importers Association (BMPIA), mobile handset import through legal channel for the first time crossed 3 crore pieces in 2016, up 11 per cent from 2015, with the total value of the imports coming to about Tk 8,000 crore. Smartphone imports accounted for Tk 6,500 crore. Smartphone import, however, increased by 46 per cent in 2016 to 82 lakh pieces from that of 56.27 lakh pieces in the previous year.