Dhaka, Nov. 28 -- The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has reiterated its assurance in ensuring that the introduction of the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) on 16 December would not lead to an increase in mobile handset prices, despite persistent concerns among buyers and sections of the handset trade.

Speaking on Thursday at a seminar titled "Importance of NEIR for Legal and Safe Handset Use" organised by the Telecom and Technology Reporters Network Bangladesh (TRNB), BTRC Commissioner Mahmud Hossain said the regulator had been monitoring retail prices of all smartphone models in the market so that no one could take advantage of the new system to raise prices.

He said a campaign was underway to prom...