Mobile phone traders staged a road blockade in Dhaka’s Agargaon area on Sunday morning, bringing traffic in large parts of the capital to a standstill as they protested the planned rollout of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) and demanded reforms to mobile phone import and tax policies.
Under the banner of the Mobile Business Community Bangladesh (MBCB), hundreds of traders and shop employees gathered in front of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) building around 10am, occupying one side of the main road.
By midday, the protest spilled into surrounding areas, causing severe congestion in Agargaon, Shyamoli, Shishu Mela and Karwan Bazar. Commuters were left stranded for hours as vehicles were diverted through narrow alternate routes. “There was no warning. Suddenly the road was blocked. People are suffering,” said a motorcyclist stuck near the National Archives.
Police were deployed around the BTRC building to prevent escalation. The demonstration remained largely peaceful, with participants holding banners, chanting slogans and calling for policy changes.
The protest centers on the NEIR system, which is scheduled to be launched on December 16. The system requires every mobile handset operating in Bangladesh to be registered through its IMEI number. Authorities say NEIR will curb illegal phone imports, reduce handset theft and improve service quality.
Traders argue that the system in its current form threatens their livelihoods. MBCB Senior Vice-President Shamim Molla said representatives were invited to talks by the BTRC and the ICT Ministry but warned that discussions would be meaningless if their concerns were overlooked. “There will be no solution if the interests of traders are not protected,” he said.
Traders also allege that policymakers are favoring a select group of large businesses, saying the new rules will allow only a few companies to dominate phone imports and distribution, squeezing out thousands of small and medium-sized traders.
The agitation extended beyond Dhaka. The traders’ body earlier announced an indefinite nationwide shutdown of mobile phone shops, which went into effect Sunday. Many stores in major cities and district towns remained closed, disrupting consumers seeking new devices or repairs.
According to MBCB, the NEIR policy overlooks the interests of nearly 20,000 businesses and the employees and families dependent on the handset trade.
Six-point demand
The protesters outlined six demands:
As of Sunday evening, neither the BTRC nor the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology had issued detailed responses to the allegations. The government maintains that NEIR is essential for combating illegal handset imports and protecting consumer rights.
Authorities have announced plans to reduce import duty for legally imported phones and provide special facilities for expatriates bringing devices into the country, but traders say these steps do not address their core concerns.
Industry observers warn of possible price hikes if the standoff continues. Traders say higher costs, heavier compliance requirements and limited import channels will make smartphones less affordable for low-income consumers. They also fear job losses across the supply chain.
MBCB leaders have warned of further protests if their demands remain unmet, including more shutdowns, sit-ins and demonstrations. With the December 16 rollout date approaching, the dispute has reached a critical point.
