Dhaka: Connections of SIM of foreign nationals, visiting Bangladesh for a short period, would go off automatically after expiry of their visas.

Posts and Telecommunications Division (PTD) has taken this decision as part of its SIM verification campaign using biometric system.  

Talking to BSS, State Minister for Posts and Telecommunications Tarana Halim on Thursday said foreign nationals who would visit Bangladesh for a certain period have to collect cellular phone SIM card (if they want to use cell phone)providing photocopy of their passport and visa.

‘The SIM used by foreign nationals would get deactivated automatically after expiry of their visa,’ said Tarana.  

At present, a foreign national buys SIM providing photocopy of passport but, after his/her departure that SIM remains active.  

Apart from the issue of foreign national, the PTD has also taken decisions regarding finger print mismatch, people with mutilated palm and people having no NID and passport etc to complete the ongoing biometric verification.  

About the fingerprint mismatch, the state minister said finger print changes for different reasons. ‘If any person is found with such problem at operators' customer care, he/she will have to go to regional election offices where the new fingerprint would be collected.’

She said they have directed the operators to set up biometric booths at 514 regional election offices so people would not require to come to customer care centre again for verification.

Talking about the people with mutilated finger or (both) hands, Tarana said they would have to go to the election commission office for verification. ‘We are giving emphasis on facial identity for that type of people.’  

This practice would also be applicable to the people who lost hands or finger(s) meanwhile due to any cause, she added.  

Replying to another query on who would be responsible for juvenile crime committed by using cell phone, the state minister said parents have to write down on the form that they are collecting the SIM on behalf of their children. ‘If any juvenile crime is committed using SIM card, legal action would be taken as per law, but parents don't have to bear it, if they are not responsible,’ she said.

Tarana said the government has also decided on SIM re-registration of the expatriate Bangladeshis.  

SIM cards get automatically invalid after remaining switched off for a certain period. Then the operators can re-sell those cards.  

The minister said if any expatriate cannot return home within the stipulated time, his or her relative can get the SIM card re-registered.

‘We are taking all measures to ensure the actual ownership of SIM,’ said the state minister.  

From December 16 last year, a total of 25.3 million customers registered their SIM cards biometrically till February this year, according to BTRC.