more on Pre-paid mobile phones

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Fuat Baran <fuat () columbia edu>
Date: October 12, 2006 1:22:18 PM EDT
To: dave () farber net
Cc: Fuat Baran <fuat () columbia edu>
Subject: Re: [IP] Pre-paid mobile phones

Apparently China is planning on requiring mobile phone users to  
register with the operators and show their identity papers.

http://en.ce.cn/Industries/Telecoms/200610/10/t20061010_8892715.shtml

The above article says it is "the latest move in the nation's fight  
against unsolicited advertisements, fake educational certificates and  
bank fraud via short messages."

I'm sure here in the U.S. we can come up with a homeland security  
justification for needing to show papers before buying a prepaid  
mobile phone.  Can prepaid calling cards be next?

To Michael Kende: Which store asked for proof of age?  Did they tell  
you what the minimum age is for buying a phone in the U.S.?  Was it a  
store requirement, or a legal requirement?

                        --Fuat


On Oct 12, 2006, at 10:24 AM, David Farber wrote:

> Begin forwarded message:
>
> From: Michael Kende <Michael.Kende () analysys com>
> Date: October 12, 2006 10:06:45 AM EDT
> To: dave () farber net
> Subject: Pre-paid mobile phones
>
> Last night I bought a pre-paid phone and the sales person asked for  
> my ID, I asked why and he said it was to check that I am old enough  
> to buy a phone- since I am 42, I was a bit dubious about that one,  
> and then he typed my name and information into the system.  I asked  
> why and he said it was a requirement.  My question for the group  
> is, whose requirement, and why?  I kind of thought the whole point  
> of pre-pay was that you can just buy a phone and there was no need  
> for identifying information since there is no credit risk, or  
> directory listing.  My colleagues tell me that in some European  
> countries no information is needed, although that may change with  
> new European directives.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Michael
>
> Michael Kende
> Principal Consultant
> Analysys Consulting
>
> +1 202 331-3080 (main)
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