Most SIM (subscriber's identity module) card dealers say they are incurring loss in their business, as customers are now lukewarm about taking new connections.

"Earlier I used to sell 30 to 35 SIM cards a day but now I my sales have dropped to 2 or 3," said Amanullah, a GrameenPhone dealer at Eastern Plaza market.

"We are facing a severe loss in business," said Shaheen, a Bangla Link dealer. "At present I sell 8 to 10 SIM cards whereas I sold 30 to 40 before the new regulations."

Shaheen said it would take time for the subscribers to be habituated to the formalities to obtain new connections. He, however, welcomed the new regulations.

Some customers said the new regulations would help stop unwanted calls while others said the regulatory authority harass them unnecessarily.

The new telecom regulation made it mandatory for all customers to provide their personal details such as attested photographs, fingerprints, photocopy of identity (ID) cards or passports or driving or gun licences.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) also made it mandatory for subscribers to submit a 'certificate' issued by an elected public representative or a first class government officer for new subscription. Those who have a passport, driving or gun licence will not require the certificate.

If any subscriber provides false information in personal details, the official or the public representative attesting the form will be taken to task. Connection of an existing subscriber will be snapped in case of failure to register with the operators within the scheduled time and will only be restored after registration.

To avoid hassle, ward commissioners and first class officers hesitate in issuing certificates to persons who are not well known to them, customers said.

Some customers also said that ward commissioners who will issue these certificates are not "clean" at all. Many of them patronise local goons. "So they can issue certificates to anyone with a fake name and address," said Jubayed Hossain, a Dhaka University student.

A high official from Bangla Link preferring anonymity said: "Under the present regulations our sales and the number of customers have decreased. We cannot sell connections to uneducated persons or small businessmen who cannot provide the necessary documents."

"We are finding the regulation very difficult to follow. There must be some alternatives for those who have no documents. We will talk to the BTRC about the matter," he added.

A high official from GrameenPhone too, voiced the same concern.

When contacted, no one from the BTRC wanted to comment on the formalities for fresh cellphone connections.

Some customers however think the new regulation will bring discipline in the telecom sector. "It will help identify the caller. At least by using the subscriber's information any caller can be traced if he or she harasses anyone by making phone call," said Nadia, a student.

Mahbubur Rahman who came to Bashundhara City to get a new connection said: "This rule is bad for those who have bad intentions in using cellphones."

But Zunaed Ahmed, another customer, expressed his dissatisfaction at the formalities and said the process of getting a new connection is now so lengthy.