Dhaka: Aimed to stop the random uses, the telecom regulator has decided to reserve black walkie-talkies only for the law enforcing agency members.

Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has taken the move in the wake of increased uses of walkie-talkies for different purposes by both government and private entities.

Talking to BSS, a senior official of System and Service Department of BTRC, said uses of walkie-talkie has been increased for its easier communication nature and anyone can use the walkie-talkie after taking permission from the telecom regulator.

‘We’ve decided to keep the black colour walkie-talkie only for the law enforcing agencies so that people could identify them easily,’ he said.

The official, however, said other government and private entities can use the radio frequency-based device but, they have to select other colours with the consent of the telecom regulator.

Replying to a query regarding existing black coloured walkie-talkies in the hand of different entities, he said as the telecom regulator would not issue no objection certificate (NOC) further for those black ones, the existing devices would disappear gradually.

According to the BTRC guidelines, if any person or any company wants to import any radio-frequency equipment, at first they need permission from the telecom regulator and collect NOC fulfilling necessary procedures.

BTRC officials said different bus companies, private security agencies, event management companies, city corporations, WASA and other entities have been using the wireless communication system.

Bus companies have established strong high-frequency based walkie-talkie service for communication in capital city.

Besides, miscreants are committing criminal activities in the name of law enforcing agencies using the walkie-talkie deceiving people, BTRC officials alleged.