Bangladesh’s mobile phone traders have announced a blockade of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, starting Sunday morning. The protest follows earlier demonstrations demanding reforms to the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR), the abolition of alleged syndicates, and the reopening of unrestricted mobile phone imports. Traders argue that the NEIR system, set to take effect on December 16, will severely harm small businesses and raise handset prices due to increased taxes and limited supply. They claim that only a select group of importers will benefit from the new regulation. The BTRC and government officials, however, assert that NEIR is essential for national security and to prevent the use of unregistered or stolen phones. The standoff highlights growing tension between regulators and small traders in Bangladesh’s telecom sector. If unresolved, the dispute could disrupt mobile phone distribution and raise consumer prices ahead of the NEIR rollout.