The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has taken a move to introduce type-based approval for importing mobile handsets.
The BTRC formed a six-member committee last week to draft a regulation for changing the existing policy for issuing the no objection certificate for mobile handset import.The committee was also asked to change the regulation to type-based NOC system from existing vendor-based one.
The committee was, however, not given any timeframe to formulate the draft regulation.
As per the existing rule, the vendors have to take NOCs from the BTRC for importing mobile handset.
If the different vendors want to import the same model of mobile handset they have to take NOCs from the commission individually, said BTRC officials.
‘The type-based approval will lessen hazard of the handset importers. After the implementation of the new rules the BTRC will allow different mobile handsets based on the configuration. So, once a particular type of specification is approved all the vendors will be allowed to import that handset automatically,’ said a BTRC official.
The commission is trying to bar the import of low-quality handsets in the country, he said.
‘The typed based approval system will not allow mobile handsets with low quality specification. As the government will launch the 3G mobile phone services soon, the specification of handset will turnout to be a major issue for availing the service,’ he said.
Commission’s official said a move of formulating a guideline to ensure the IMEI (international mobile equipment identity) in the handset remained pending for more than one year.
The IMEI number is a globally-accepted system to track any mobile handset which the illegal handsets don’t have.
According to the BTRC officials, around 10 million handsets are imported every year in the country where many handsets are found fake but branded under the names of renowned brands.
In April 2012, the BTRC seized 83,000 such handsets at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. In the same month the BTRC also seized 2,600 counterfeit handsets from a shop at Motalib Plaza of the Hatirpul area in the capital.
-With New Age input
