Highlights
- Mobile Business Community announces nationwide closure of all Mobile Shops.
- Protest to start from Sunday (7 December).
- Traders to surround BTRC office in Dhaka.
- Main demands: NEIR reform, end to syndicates, open mobile import system.
- Traders fear NEIR will harm thousands of businesses.
Nationwide Shutdown of Mobile Shops
The Bangladesh Mobile Business Community has announced that all Mobile Shops across the country will remain closed for an indefinite period.
The shutdown begins from Sunday, 7 December, as part of their ongoing protest.
Protest at BTRC Office
Along with keeping the shops closed, traders said they will also surround the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) office in Agargaon, Dhaka to press their demands.
Bangladesh Mobile Business Community Secretary Abu Sayeed Piyas confirmed the announcement.
What Are the Traders’ Demands?
The mobile traders’ main demands include:
- Reforming the National Equipment Identity Registrar (NEIR) system
- Ending the syndicate practices in the market
- Allowing an open system for mobile phone imports
They claim that if NEIR is fully implemented, thousands of businessmen and their families will face severe losses.
Traders’ Concerns About NEIR
According to the traders, the new NEIR rule will benefit a specific group while creating extra tax pressure on the market. As a result, mobile phone prices will rise for customers.
One trader said:
“If NEIR is implemented, hundreds of thousands of businessmen and their families will be harmed.”
Another allegation from traders:
“নতুন নিয়মে একটি বিশেষ গোষ্ঠী লাভবান হবে এবং গ্রাহকদের জন্য মোবাইলের দাম বাড়বে।”
Translation: “The new system will benefit a special group and increase mobile prices for customers.”
Previous Protest
Earlier, on 30 November, mobile traders and employees from different shopping malls held a human chain protest in the Karwan Bazar–Panthapath area. They also kept their shops closed during that demonstration.
NEIR Scheduled to Start on 16 December
According to the government decision, the NEIR system is set to start on 16 December.
The aim is to ensure security in the telecom sector and to stop the use of unregistered mobile phones in the country.
Source: DBC News
