Web Exclusive

Cellphone registrations to require real names

By Zheng Jinran (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-08-31 11:52

A new system to protect privacy and reduce spam messages will require all mobile users to subscribe with their real names, effective September 1, 2010, the Beijing News reported on Tuesday.

Related readings:  Official denies report on mobile real name registration  Gamers back real-name registration: Poll  Real-name train ticket ends in?S. China  Employees at entertainment venues must register real name

The statement released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said the real name cellphone registration policy will be implemented in two phases: New users after September 1 must subscribe to the cellphone numbers using their identities; in three years, all old users' information will be with their real names.

About 321 million cellphone carriers?did not?register using their real names, according to one estimate. Measures such as cutting calling rates for users will be employed to encourage?them to provide their identity.

This regulation is effective for all mobile phone subscribers as well as users of Little Smart, a wireless phone for fixed telephone networks.

Some users are concerned that the identification system may lead to their private information being leaked. But Xiang Ligang, president of CCTIME, an online consultant in the communication industry, confirmed its benefits, adding that this system will?bring convenience?to e-businesses and other services such as GPS.