The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has announced a reduction in the maximum number of SIM cards that individuals can register under their name, lowering the limit from 15 to 10. The regulatory change, announced on May 24, 2025, will affect approximately 6.7 million SIM cards belonging to 2.6 million users. The measure is part of Bangladesh’s broader initiative to strengthen mobile identity verification and security measures, following the country’s planned implementation of unauthorized device blocking by 2025.
The previous limit of 15 SIM cards per individual was established in October 2017. In October 2022, the BTRC had initiated efforts to enforce this limit by requesting users with excess SIMs to retain their preferred numbers and deregister others, followed by a lottery system to deactivate excess SIMs. The enforcement supported the country’s efforts to enhance mobile security, which has included the introduction of biometric authentication for mobile banking services.
The regulatory body’s decision considers international practices and national security considerations, while also reflecting Bangladesh’s socio-economic context. The reduction is part of broader efforts to optimize mobile number resources and enhance transparency in the telecommunications sector, supporting the country’s ongoing work with its National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system.
“The maximum number of SIMs a person can register has been reduced from 15 to 10. The socio-economic context of Bangladesh was also taken into consideration,” said a BTRC official. “If the new limit of 10 personal SIMs is enforced, approximately 6.7 million SIMs belonging to around 2.6 million users will need to be deactivated.”
The BTRC has also modified its policy regarding inactive SIM cards, reducing the recycling period from 18 months to 12 months. The adjustment aims to improve the management of mobile number resources and maintain transparency in SIM registration and recycling procedures. The change matches regional trends in telecommunications regulation, as neighboring countries like India have also implemented strict measures for mobile connection verification to enhance national security.
Sources: The Observer, The Ittefaq, More News BD, The Daily Star
