Trial run of biometric SIM registration begins

The trial run of biometric registration system for mobile phone subscriber identity module (SIM) cards was inaugurated today.

Prime minister's ICT affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy ran his thumb across a biometric register and purchased a SIM card during the opening ceremony.

The inaugural was held at the Post and Telecommunications Division of the Bangladesh Secretariat.

Mobile operators will use the biometric system to verify a customer's fingerprint against the Election Commission's database for SIM purchase.

The pilot run for this initiative will be launched from November 1 and its official launching will be from December 16, said Tarana Halim, state minister for post and telecommunications ministry.

The government hopes biometric registration and re-registration process for 13 crore mobile phone subscribers will be complete by March next year.