Mobile jammers are being openly sold in many electronics shops across the country. This is causing disruption in the mobile network in several areas, sources have told the Independent.

Mobile operators have submitted a list of users to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), claiming that some garments and ceramic manufacturers and mosques are the main users of the device.

It is apparently common for some mosques to use mobile jammers to ensure peaceful prayers. It is easy to buy the radio device from electronics shops at Baitul Mokkaram. The law says that nobody can import the device without the BTRC’s approval.

The mobile phone jammer is a device used to block cell phones from receiving signals from base stations. The device can be used in any location, but government approval is needed. Usually, security personnel use it to secure their location.

A Grameenphone official told The Independent that the increasing use of mobile phone jammers is a matter of concern. “People are blaming us for call drops, but it’s the jammers that are blocking smooth operation,” he claimed.

Taimur Rahman, the chief corporate and regulatory affairs officer of Banglalink, told The Independent: “Import of the radio device has to be approved by the BTRC. But people are easily buying the jammer for commercial purposes. It's selling openly in the market!”

Sources said the BTRC has got some complaints against the users of the jammer and prepared a list of them. Among them are allegedly Harry Fashion Factory at Nishinda in Valuka, Akiz Ceramic Factory at Bhuiya Bari in Trishal of Mymemsingh, Wapda Bazar Jame mosque in Noakhali Sadar, Badamtoli Shahi Jame mosque in Agrabad of Chittagong, Chandanpura Jame mosque at Nabab Sirajuddawla Road of Chittagong, and Green Road mosque in Dhaka.

This correspondent found that some of the mosques use the device in Dhaka, but its usage in the industry is more difficult to detect.

The imam of the Green Road mosque admitted to The Independent that they use the jammer during prayers. But the jammer is out of order right now. “We had been using the device for the last few years. Our mosque committee had installed the jammer to ensure peaceful prayers, as many people use their mobile phones even during the prayers,” he said.

“We're not the only users of the device. If you visit Farmgate area, you will find some other mosques using the jammer too,” he added.

An employee of Green Store, a grocery shop in front of the Green Road mosque, told this reporter: “We do not get any mobile network during prayer time. If we need to make any emergency call during prayer time, we have to walk away from it to get network.”

Abdul Mabul, an employee of the Pur Raja Bazar mosque, told The Independent: “We have not installed the device. However, we have been approached by sellers.”

The alleged users in the industry, however, denied the charge.

Maqsood Ahmed, the managing director of Harry Fashion Ltd, said: “We don’t use the device.”

The Independent also visited the Baitul Mokkaram electronics market. Several stores there sell the device.

Khandakar Sound System sells it for Tk. 7,500.  Mohammed Rassel of the store said: “The device is sold to mosques as well as for personal use. I don’t know whether it is legal to do the business.”

Shoppers at the Baitul Mokkaram market said they are often approached by sellers of the device.

Taimur Rahman, the head of corporate affairs of Banglalink, told The Independent: “The law says that nobody can import such devices without the BTRC’s permission. Yet, how can people use the device openly and block our network?”

BTRC chairman Dr Shahjahan Mahmud said: “We have not permitted anyone to import the jammer. Selling the device is totally illegal.”

Shahed Alam, the executive vice-president of regulatory affairs of Robi Axiata Ltd, told The Independent: “We have taken up the issue with BTRC officials and informed them that the use of the jammer is rising alarmingly.”

A BTRC spectrum official said they have got some complaints that some garments manufacturers are using the device to continue with smooth production, as some workers use their mobile phones even during duty time.

However, Mohammed Nasir, the vice-president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers’ and Exporters’ Association, denied the allegation.