Banglalink, the second largest telecom operator of Bangladesh, has announced that the state-owned mobile operator Teletalk will be able to use Banglalink’s biometric devices for biometric SIM registration and verification.
Banglalink signed a memorandum of understanding regarding the device sharing with Teletalk at the Posts and Telecommunication Ministry yesterday.
State Minister for Posts and Telecommunication Tarana Halim, Secretary Foyzur Rahman Chowdhury, Banglalink MD and CEO Erik Aas and Teletalk MD Gias Uddin Ahmed were present during the signing ceremony.
Tarana Halim said the government will continue the biometric SIM registration process.
“There is no merit to any case based on rumour and propaganda,” she said.
The minister said vested quarters involved with illegal VoIP, extortion and criminal activities were campaigning against biometric SIM registration.
Tarana Halim said: “I believe biometric verification of all subscribers is vital for the security of the country. With this partnership the verification process for Teletalk subscribers will also be happening fast.”
Secretary Foyzur Rahman said mobile operators must block SIM cards used for illegal VoIP within three hours of their detection or face legal action.
He said not only Teletalk SIM is using in illegal VoIP call, any operator’s SIM can be used in VoIP call.
Erik Aas said: “I am happy to be partnering with Teletalk to share our biometric verification devices as we believe in growing together as an industry. I do believe that through this partnership we can work on many other opportunities in the future.”
“Teletalk is delighted to partner with Banglalink in sharing their biometric verification devices and believe this is a very good step by Banglalink to take the initiative of working and helping a government owned telecom operator,” said Gias Uddin Ahmed.