Counterfeit mobile phones are spreading terribly in the country's market. At least one and a half lakh mobile phones using only one IMEI number have been released in the market and are in regular use. Shahed Alam, chief corporate and regulatory officer of telecom operator Robi, said this in a seminar on Thursday (June 13) while presenting the data of mobile database.
The seminar was held at the Directorate of Telecommunication in Tejgaon of the capital under the organization of TRNB, the organization of Telecom Beat journalists. State Minister for Posts, Telecommunication and Information Technology Junaid Ahmed Palak was present as the chief guest in the seminar.
The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) carries the mobile phone identity of an original phone. Each mobile handset has a different IMEI number. Mobiles with dual SIM connections have two IMEI numbers.
Shahed Alam said, five brands of mobile phones are now very popular in the industry in Bangladesh. Duplicates of these phones are also available in the market. An IMEI number is used against these multiple fake mobile phones. Analysis revealed that one IMEI number was used in 1 lakh 50 thousand handsets.
He said, due to non-functionality of National Equipment Identification Register (NEIR) and gray-market, a mobile device locking guideline has been given for us. But unfortunately this guideline is not helpful. Because its terms are often contradictory. It doesn't work if one of the two SIM slots in the set is turned off and the other is turned on.
State Minister Junaid Ahmed Palak was surprised to hear the information about the use of fake IMEI number. At this time, he drew the attention of Police Intelligence Department (DB) Chief Haroon Or Rashid who was present at the seminar.
In response, the DB chief said, when we investigate this, we see that they are doing business by building offices like yours and making handsets. We recovered 700 mobiles in one operation. They are making these mobiles by bringing low quality parts from different places including China. After running for two-three months it wears out. It is not only mobile, but also seen in cars. 29 cars are running with number one.
It was informed from the seminar that the implementation of NEIR in Bangladesh is not possible due to registration complications. But if mobile adoption increases by 40 percent, the GDP growth is 4.8 percent. 67 percent mobile broadband adoption will increase GDP by 12 percent.
State Minister Junaid Ahmed Palak said to the mobile manufacturers, you have courage to come forward in the production of mobile phones. Like the garment industry, we can export to the domestic market as well as abroad. We have skilled manpower. As China has become a partner in the global market, so can we. I am not saying that I will grab the market now. But keep moving forward. If you profit, the revenue of the country will also increase, the country will also benefit.
The seminar was also attended by BTRC Chairman Engineer Mohiuddin Ahmed, Director General of Consumer Affairs Department AHM Safikuzzaman, the new organization of mobile handset manufacturers in the country, Mobile Phone Industry Owners Association of Bangladesh (MIOB) President Zakaria Shahid, Vice President Rezwanul Haque, MTOB Secretary General Lt. Colonel (retd) Mohammad Zulfikar and others.
