Tourist SIM in the offing

The telecom regulator is going to introduce a "tourist SIM" for foreign travellers coming to Bangladesh. 

Validity periods of 7, 15 or 30 days can be availed and a maximum of two SIMs can be registered against one passport, according to documents of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

Tourists can also collect e-SIMs on demand at the time of entry through any port. An eSIM, or embedded SIM, can be electronically programmed into a mobile phone without the need for manual insertion.

If it is needed for longer periods, the subscriber can exchange it for a regular SIM showing work permits.

Most foreigners and tourists usually visit the country for short periods. Once they leave, the SIM registered against their passport remains unused and no revenue is generated from it.

As per the rules, an unused registered SIM cannot be re-registered in someone else's name before 540 days.

This results in the wastage of limited resources like Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number, which uniquely identifies a subscription in a mobile network.

The tourist SIM will be identified separately on the Central Biometric Verification Monitoring Platform of the government and all related packages and offers of mobile operators will require prior approval of the BTRC.

"We are currently working on this to benefit customers. More details regarding tourist SIMs will be shared soon," said Md Mohiuddin Ahmed, vice-chairman of the BTRC.