There has been widespread discussion and confusion among mobile phone users regarding the possible shutdown of unofficial or unregistered mobile phones on December 16. Many users were concerned that devices brought into the country without official registration or proper IMEI approval might stop working on that day. However, these concerns are not accurate.

Unofficial mobile phones will not be shut down on December 16. Authorities have not announced any immediate nationwide action to disconnect such devices on that specific date. As a result, users who are currently using unofficial or unregistered phones can continue using their devices without interruption for now.

The confusion mainly arose from ongoing discussions about IMEI registration systems and government efforts to regulate the mobile phone market. These initiatives are intended to reduce illegal phone imports, ensure consumer protection, and increase government revenue. However, the implementation of such systems is a gradual process and does not involve sudden shutdowns without prior notice.

Officials have repeatedly stated that any future action regarding unofficial mobile phones will be communicated clearly in advance. Users will be given sufficient time and proper guidelines to register their devices if required. Therefore, rumors about an immediate shutdown on December 16 are misleading.

Mobile users are advised not to panic and to rely only on information from official sources. At the same time, registering mobile phones through official channels remains a good practice to avoid potential issues in the future.

In conclusion, unofficial mobile phones will continue to operate normally on December 16, and there is no reason for concern at this time.

How Long Can Unofficial Mobile Phones Continue After December 16?

Many mobile users in Bangladesh are worried about whether their unofficial (grey-market or unregistered) phones will stop working from December 16. Here’s the latest official update on the deadline and grace period:

📅 NEIR Launch on December 16

The government is launching the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system on 16 December 2025. NEIR is designed to verify every mobile phone’s IMEI number and ensure only legitimately imported or registered devices can be connected to mobile networks. 

🛡️ Extended Registration Deadline

Instead of immediately blocking all unregistered phones on December 16, the authorities have extended the deadline for registering unofficial or unlisted mobile phones under the NEIR system. The new deadline for registration is 15 March 2026.

This means:

Phones that are currently unofficial but already in use will continue to work normally while NEIR is active.  

Users have until 15 March 2026 to register their unofficial mobile devices with the NEIR database.  

🕒 What This Extension Means

✔️ Three-month grace period: Unofficial phones will not be disconnected or blocked immediately on 16 December. Users and shop owners now have about three more months to comply.  

✔️ No sudden shutdown: There won’t be an abrupt stop for unregistered phones on December 16; instead, phones remain operational as long as they are registered by 15 March 2026.  

✔️ Sell and register: Traders can also continue selling unofficial phones already in stock and register them during this grace period without facing penalties. 
📌 Why the Extension Was Given

The extension was granted after discussions with mobile phone traders and industry groups to prevent disruption in the market and give users enough time to complete the registration process. Millions of devices currently in use are yet to be listed in the NEIR database.  

📝 What Users Should Do

If you have an unofficial or grey-market phone:

Check your IMEI: Dial *#06# on your phone to get the 15-digit IMEI number.

Register before March 15, 2026: Use the official NEIR portal or SMS/USSD tools provided by operators to register the device.

Keep documents ready: For phones brought from abroad, keep purchase receipts or passport/arrival proof for documentation during registration.