The maximum limit of SIM cards registered in one person’s name is being reduced from 15 to 10. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has made this decision considering the recommendations and reviews of security agencies and aligning with global practices. The decision is awaiting ministry approval.

According to BTRC data, 3.45 percent of subscribers have more than 10 SIMs registered in their name. If the SIM registration limit is set at 10, a total of 6.7 million SIMs belonging to approximately 2.6 million subscribers will have to be deactivated. The commission considers this number insignificant compared to the total number of mobile phone subscribers in the country.

BTRC statistics show that as of March this year, there were a total of 186.22 million registered SIM cards in the country. Of these, Grameenphone had 84.09 million, Robi Axiata had 56.36 million, Banglalink had 38.23 million, and Teletalk had 6.54 million SIMs.

Due to multiple SIM cards being registered under one person’s name, the total number of registered SIM cards has exceeded the total population. Many of these SIM cards remain unused, which is a waste of resources. At the same time, the BTRC review revealed that they could be used for unethical activities.

To prevent mobile phone subscribers from engaging in unethical activities, the BTRC introduced SIM registration through National Identity Cards in 2015. In October 2017, a limit of a maximum of 15 SIMs per National Identity Card was set. Now, this is being further reduced to 10.

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