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Prepaid in the News By Country
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EU
OECD
Global
Australia Top
Leyden, Fleur (2004, Oct. 21). Telstra sales up, but T3 on hold.
Retrieved Oct.26, 2004, from http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/10/20/1097951768362.html?oneclick=true.
"Prepaid
mobile phone revenues rose 21 per cent, reflecting a 32 per cent
increase in prepaid services and an increase in calling minutes of 40 per cent."
This web page has been archived.
Brazil Top
Brazil considers mobile phone ban. (2002, Jan.23)
Retrieved Oct.26, 2004, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/1777516.stm.
A rising wave of organised crime in
Brazil has resulted in proposals to ban prepaid cell phones.
The ban would have drastic consequences for
mobile phone firms. However, Brazil's large
population of prepaid phone users would fiercely
oppose such a move, such that it would
unlikely become law.
This web page has been archived.
Brazil scraps prepaid mobile phone ban proposal. (2002), Jan.24).
Retrieved Oct.26, 2004, from http://www.cellular.co.za/news_2002/012402-brazil_scraps_prepaid_mobile_pho.htm.
To combat crime, Brazil reported that it was looking into the registration of popular
prepaid mobile phones. Criminals favour prepaid phones because of their anonymity.
The phones have been linked to a high profile murder of a Brazilian mayor,
and played a key part in the organization of Brazil's largest recent prison rebellion in early 2001.
This web page has been archived.
Czech Republic Top
Bouc, Frantisek (2005, Feb.24). Scratching out anonymity: Gov't proposes to ban anonymous prepaid mobile-phone SIMs.
Retrieved Feb.24, 2005, from http://www.praguepost.com/P03/2005/Art/0224/busi6.php.
The
Czech government wants to draft a new bill banning anonymous SIM cards.
The anonymity of prepaid mobile phones has often frustrated police
investigations. Should a ban come into force, the need for police
wiretapping would decrease. However, some 60 percent of the country's
10.7 million mobile phone users purchase prepaid cards, expressly for
the reason that they do not need to disclose their personal data or
sign any contracts. Mobile telecommunications providers say a ban would
cause chaos on the market.
This web page has been archived.
Germany Top
EDRI. (2004, March 11). German Government Rejects Data Retention. Retrieved October 5, 2005, from http://www.edri.org/edrigram/number2.5/dataretention.
The German government
softened many of the proposed new telecommunication surveillance powers
after objections from privacy authorities and industry were raised in parliament.
General data retention will not be mandatory and the costs of handing over customer
data will be reimbursed on a case by case basis.
This web page has been archived.
Ireland Top
Smith, G. (2004). Irish mobile operators launch code of practice. Retrieved September 27, 2005, from http://www.siliconrepublic.com/news/news4a.nv?storyid=single3303
The code of
practice allow operators to grant parents authorised access to their children's
prepaid mobile phone records and account details, so they can check what
numbers have been called and what services have been accessed.
This web page has been archived.
Italy Top
EDRI. (2005, August 10). Italy Decrees Data Retention Until 31 December 2007. Retrieved October 5, 2005, from http://www.edri.org/edrigram/number3.16/Italy.
On July 27, 2005
the Italian government published a decree to fight international terrorism.
By suspending relevant data protection provisions, the government has obliged
telephony providers to store traffic data until December 31, 2007.
The decree introduces compulsory identification for mobile telephony users.
Resellers of mobile subscriptions or pre-paid cards must take all measures to
guarantee the identity of the purchaser and keep a photocopy of each presented identity card.
Internet cafes, public telephone shops and Wi-Fi hotspots require user registration.
In addition, mobile operators must store all unsuccessful call attempts.
However, this regulation resulted in fierce protesting by operators regarding the high costs to implement these measures.
This web page has been archived.
Japan Top
DoCoMo to stop offering prepaid cell phone services. (2001, Oct.1). Retrieved Oct.26, 2004, from http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=4&id=313920.
Prepaid cell phone services will be discontinued by DoCoMo, due to their use in criminal activities.
Ruling bloc to submit bill to ban prepaid cell phone sales. (2004, Oct.20). Retrieved Oct. 26, 2004, from http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=9&id=316188.
The Liberal
Democratic Party in Japan will submit legislation to ban
prepaid cell phone sales, due to their use in fraud crimes.
The Asahi Shimbun. (2004, Oct.23). Carriers balk at bill banning sales of prepaid cellphones.
Retrieved Oct.26, 2004, from http://www.asahi.com/english/business/TKY200410230136.html.
The
communications ministry in Japan have put on hold a plan to mandate
registration for all prepaid phone users. The anonymous nature of
prepaid cell phones is blamed as an indirect cause of crime. However,
ruling parties decided to submit a bill banning the sale of prepaid
phones altogether to the current Diet session. Some feel a blanket ban
would punish users who have no intention of breaking the law. Phone
companies Vodafone and Tu-Ka say the bill infringes on their economic
freedom and would have a negative impact on their revenue.
This web page has been archived.
Fasol, Gerhard (2004, Oct. 23). Prepaid phone to be outlawed in Japan.
Retrieved Oct.26, 2004, from http://fasol.com/blog/2004/10/prepaid-phones-to-be-outlawed-in-japan.html.
The
government coalition in Japan is preparing to outlaw prepaid mobile
phones. It is believed that too many prepaid phones are used for
crimes. Mobile phone retailers with a larger amount of prepaid
customers will suffer more. On Nov.12, 2004 the ruling coalition
decided on a draft law, which will not ban prepaid mobile phones, but
will make identification requirements stricter.
This web page has been archived.
Frauenfelder, Mark (2004, Oct. 25). Prepaids to be banned in Japan?
Retrieved Oct.26, 2004, from http://www.thefeature.com/user/frauenfelder/journalentry?id=1116&ref=-1.
The proposed ban on prepaid mobile phones in Japan is an example of blaming the technology instead of focusing on the crime.
A majority of prepaid phone calls are likely non-fraudulent, just as most landline calls are non-fraudulent. The
reaction to ban the medium is favoured because it is a simple solution.
European business slams Japan's plan to ban prepaid cell phones. (2004, Nov.10).
Retrieved Dec. 21, 2004, from http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=4&id=318374.
The European Business Community in Japan criticized a plan by Japan's
government to ban the use and sales of prepaid cell phones, which
are often used in fraud crimes.
Japan rejects ban on prepaid mobiles. (2004, Nov.16).
Retrieved Dec.21, 2004, from http://www.telecomasia.net/telecomasia/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=133526.
"Japan's ruling coalition has ruled that it will
tighten identification requirements for the purchase of
prepaid mobile phones in a bid to curb fraud. The
decision replaces an initial plan to completely ban
prepaid phones in Japan, which raised objections from
service providers."
This web page has been archived.
Shimbun, Y. (2004). Crackdown urged on prepaid phones, from http://www.yomiuri.co.jp.
Members
of the Japanese government are outlining a new bill that would require
users of prepaid mobile phones to produce identification upon purchase,
and would make illegal the sale of multiple phone units and the buying,
selling and rental of prepaid cell phones for dishonest purposes.
Phones would not be activated until an agency has confirmed and
registered information on the user. Periodic mandatory ID checks are
also being considered, to be conducted whenever the user recharges
their phone.
Malayasia Top
Yeap, C. (2005, June 14). Little harm in prepaid registration, from http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.article.Article_79879ad5-cb73c03a-1fbc3550-b3a7f8c6.
Industry analysts do not believe that the implementation of registration requirements for
prepaid phone users in Malaysia will significantly affect operators' net profits. This
speculation is based on the assumption that those who cease to use mobile phones, due to the
loss of anonymity, will be a small proportion of the prepaid user base. These users are
believed primarily to be illegal immigrants, half of whom may find a way to circumvent the
registration system, and continue to use prepaid services. The enforcement of registration may
discourage customers with reduced financial resources, a move consistent with mobile operators'
current agenda of catering to those with higher incomes.
This web page has been archived.
Chua, E. (2005, June 20). Telcos on plan to register prepaid mobile phone users. Malay Mail.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has put forward a proposal that would
require prepaid users to register with their telephone companies. These measures are believed
to enable the authorities to prevent criminal and terrorist activities, and curb the
distribution of pornographic material. While some telecommunications companies support efforts
to register subscribers, others contend that the information collected cannot be adequately
verified, and suggest that telecommunications providers should regulate themselves.
Registering prepaid phone users can help solve crimes. (2005, June 23). The Star.
The registration of prepaid phone users is suggested to help police solve 20% more cases
related to extortion, kidnapping, criminal intimidation and commercial crime. The Malaysian
government's proposal suggests that prior to purchasing mobile phone SIM cards, users' identity
would be verified through personal documents. Even with these measures in place, accurate
identification of users would not be ensured.
Malaysia Requires Prepaid Mobile Phone Users to Register. (2005, August 14). Retrieved September 13, 2005, from http://www.textually.org/textually/archives/2005/08/009536.htm.
The Malaysian government has made registration mandatory for prepaid mobile phone users,
effective at the end of the 2005. Acknowledging that the registration of 14 million prepaid
users will be a challenge, the Malaysian government maintains that subscriber identification is
necessary in combating harassment and terrorism.
This web page has been archived.
Sidhu, B. and Koon, G. (2005, August 16). Celcos support move, seek MCMC standard registration. Retrieved September 13, from http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/8/16/business/11782053&sec=business.
The three mobile operators in Malaysia have decided to support the government's plan to
register all prepaid users, based on the idea that it will enhance national security and public
safety. The telecommunications companies are working together to create a standardized
registration procedure. They claim that the cost of implementing a registration system is
small, and will not increase subscriber fees.
This web page has been archived.
New Zealand Top
Govt Says No To Tougher Prepaid Laws. (2006, March 11). The Press. Retrieved March 15, 2006 from http://www.newsquest.co.nz.
The Government of New Zealand released a statement asserting that there are no plans to tighten controls
on prepaid mobile phones despite concerns over their use by criminals and terrorists. The Ministry of Economic Development wrote a document
in response to a request for a law change by a member of the public. The ministry said normal investigative techniques of law enforcement agencies
can often determine the identity of unregistered mobile phone users. Changes of law also could be difficult to enforce, due to the use of
unregistered phones from outside New Zealand, and the possibility that registration may be made with fradulent identity documentation.
Can be accessed from this website as a word document.
Norway Top
Police want mobile phone cash cards stopped. (2004, Dec.8).
Retrieved Dec.11, 2004, from http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article927139.ece.
Currently,
cash cards for subscription-free mobile phones are untraceable. This is
a boon to professional criminals according to Norwegian police.
This web page has been archived.
Unregistered phone ban urged. (2003, May 30).
Retrieved Dec.11, 2004, from http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article555243.ece.
The
Transport and Communication Committee in Norway presents a new
electronic communications law to update and replace existing
legislation. Previous legislation did not prevent mobile phones from
being 'registered' by fictitious owners. The anonymity of prepaid cards
is exploited by organized criminals who use mobile phones because they
are impossible to trace back to their user. Although a new electronic
communications law has proposed to update and replace existing
legislation, it does not mention either logging or privacy. In
response, the Norwegian Economic Crime Unit has demanded a ban on
anonymous cash cards for mobile telephones and mandatory 12-month
logging of traffic from telecom and Internet companies.
This web page has been archived.
Phillippines Top
Balana, C. & Avendao, C. O. (2005, Feb.17). House rushing anti-terror measure. Retrieved Feb.18, 2005, from http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php?index=1&story_id=27767.
The
House of Representatives in the Philippines is rushing the passage of
an anti-terror bill. The bill provides stiffer penalties for terrorism
as a response to the armed conflict in Sulu province and the
Valentine's Day bomb attacks in the cities of Makati, General Santos
and Davao. Senate Bill No. 845 would require the registration of
prepaid subscriber identification module (SIM) cards.
This web page has been archived.
Sy, M. (2005). GMA certifies anti-terror bill. The Philippine Star.
President Arroyo has certified an anti-terror bill following the recent Valentine's Day bombing
spree. This bill will allow law enforcers to conduct electronic surveillance on suspected terrorists.
In conjunction with a local or provincial ID system, prepaid cards for cellular phones may be
registered so that criminals using them can be monitored. However, others contend that law enforcers are
placing blame on surveillance rules to cover up for their failures.
Poland Top
EDRI. (2004, June 2). Polish proposal to demand ID for pre-paid cards.
Retrieved Dec.21, 2004, from http://www.edri.org/edrigram/number2.11/prepaid.
"The Polish Ministry of Infrastructure introduced a new obligation for mandatory
identification of buyers of prepaid GSM-cards. The proposal is brought as an anti-terrorism
measure. State officials immediately acknowledged that the ID-demand would not make prepaid
cards totally anonymous, referring to the vivid trade in stolen phones, but said it was
necessary to make it more difficult to use GSMs for illegal purposes."
This web page has been archived.
Singapore Top
Singapore eyes regulation of prepaid sales. (2005, March 8).
Retrieved April 23, 2005, from http://www.telecomasia.net/telecomasia/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=150338.
Singapore
may regulate prepaid mobile phone card sales, following evidence that terrorist have used the anonymity they offer to carry out attacks in other countries.
This web page has been archived.
South Africa Top
Privacy International. (2004, November 16). The Republic of South Africa. Retrieved October 11, 2005, from http://www.privacyinternational.org/article.shtml?cmd[347]=x-347-83780#_ftnref14.
The Regulation of
Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-related
Information Act 70 of 2002 is the result of a number of proposals.
A government commission first made recommendations to facilitate the monitoring of cell phones.
The resulting bill was introduced into parliament in 2001. After 18 months of limited
consultation with stakeholders, Act 70 of 2002 was enacted.
This website has been archived.
Spain Top
Al Qaeda reivindica los atentados en un video hallado en Madrid. (2004, Mar. 14).
Retrieved Apr.14, 2004, from http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2004/03/13/espana/1079203531.html.
The
Madrid terrorist bombings against the commuter train system took place
on 11 March 2004, killing 191 people and wounding more than 1,800.
Investigators found a prepaid mobile phone in connection with the
bombings, and discovered that the phone's alarm had been programmed to
activate the explosive.
This web page has been archived.
The mystery of Madrid's prime suspect.
(2004, March 22). Retrieved Apr.14, 2004, from
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,9036002%255E2703,00.html.
On the evening of the Madrid commuter train bombings, a
mobile phone alarm rang in a recovered sports bag that contained an
unexploded bomb. The phone was a Motorola Triumph phone with SIM cards
from the shop of Jamal Zougam.
Switzerland Top
Lettice, John (2003, March 9). The Swiss connection shines spotlight on US tourists.
Retrieved Apr.14, 2004, from http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/03/09/the_swiss_connection_shines_phone/.
Removing
anonymity from prepaid mobile phone services will do little to stop
terrorist or unlawful activities. Anonymity is harder to achieve than
one might expect, as credit cards and mailing addresses are used to
purchase prepaid services. The use of anonymous cards from Switzerland
in suspect areas like Pakistan should also be enough to alert
authorities. Registration of prepaid is overkill that threatens the
business case, is likely ineffective, and is problematic with respect
to civil rights.
This web page has been archived.
Lettice, John (2003, March 12). Swiss move to block al-Qaeda mobile phone supply.
Retrieved Apr.14, 2004, from http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/03/12/swiss_move_to_block_al/.
The Swiss parliament passed a law to require registration of prepaid SIM cards.
However, the anonymous sale of prepaid cards-even in France where it is reportedly illegal-is possible across Europe,
reinforcing his previous point about registration as overkill and
an ineffective measure.
This web page is archived.
Swissinfo. (2004, March 4). Swiss phone cards help trace al-Qaeda.
Retrieved Apr.14, 2004, from http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/Swissinfo.html?siteSect=111&sid=4763869.
Switzerland
has passed a law in 2003 requiring registration of all prepaid SIM
cards. The law will go into effect on July 1, 2004. Introduction of
this law coincides with a NY Times story claiming that an al-Qaeda
"logistical cell" in Switzerland was using prepaid mobile phones to
coordinate their activities.
This web page has been archived.
van Natta, D. and Butler, D. (2004, March 4). How Tiny Swiss Cellphone Chips Helped Track Global Terror Web. Retrieved September 2005, from http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/04/international/europe/04PHON.html?
ex=1127016000&en=11857260b21b4c7f&ei=5070&pagewanted=1&ei
=1&en=efa2261f4a39d7e9&ex=1079384398.
SIM cards
connect cellphones to networks. A Swiss company once sold such
Subscriber Identity Module cards without asking buyers for identification,
making its cards a favorite with criminals. But investigators were able to
match the numbers with terror suspects and track some down in Pakistan,
Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and several countries in Europe. Switzerland is ending anonymous card sales on July 1.
Can be accessed from this website as a word file.
Prepaid phone register fails to ring home. (2004, Oct.12).
Retrieved Oct.26, 2004, from http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/Swissinfo.html?siteSect=111&sid=5269489.
Government
attempts to crack down on criminals by having users of prepaid cell
phones register their details have largely fallen on deaf ears.
According to Switzerland’s main telephone operator, Swisscom, only
around 200,000 of its 500,000 prepaid customers have registered ahead
of an October 31st deadline.
This web page has been archived.
130,000 prepaid GSMs disconnected in Switzerland. (2004, Dec.15).
Retrieved Dec.21, 2004, from http://www.edri.org/edrigram/number2.24/prepaid.
On
November 30, 2004 the Swiss mobile operator Swisscom disconnected
approximately 130,000 unregistered users of prepaid mobile phones. This
followed a new measure created June 23, 2004 that required the
operators to register the personal details of all buyers and store this
data for 2 years. The law was introduced to counteract terrorism and
international drug trafficking, particularly in response to the
knowledge that al-Qaeda militants used Swiss prepaid phones to
communicate with each other.
This web page has benn archived.
Taiwan Top
Telcos hit Taiwan ban on sale of prepaid cards. (2005, March 3).
Retrieved April 23, 2005, from http://www.telecomasia.net/telecomasia/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=149686.
Taiwanese
authorities have imposed a rule that requires convenience stores, petrol stations or banks to stop selling prepaid cards starting March 7.
Convenient stores are still allowed to sell top-up prepaid cards. In an effort to curb phone card related crime, one person will be entitled to only one prepaid phone card.
Taiwan's Telecommunications Industry Development Association states that there is no clear evidence that the rising crime rates are directly connected with prepaid card services.
This web page has been archived.
Thailand Top
Tortermvasana, Y.T.K. (2005, April 19). IDs to be Mandatory for SIM cards.
Retrieved April 23, 2005, from http://www.bangkokpost.com/190405_News/19Apr2005_news01.php.
In
an aim to end separatist bombings in Southern Thailand, the government wants to tighten regulations on SIM cards.
By requiring mobile phone users to identify and register their SIM cards, the government hopes to deter terrorists from using mobile phones to remotely detonate bombs.
A photocopy of a national ID card is suggested for identification purposes. Foreign phones will also be checked.
Critics contend that these measures will be ineffective as copies of ID cards can be easily forged.
Rights secondary in mobile ID plan. (2005, April 20).
Retrieved April 23, 2005, from http://www.bangkokpost.com/200405_News/20Apr2005_news02.php.
Thailand's
Deputy Prime Minister believes that consumer and privacy rights are less of a concern than national security,
with respect to the registration of SIM cards. By identifying and registering mobile phone users, the government hopes to eliminate terrorist bombings.
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra maintained that tracking SIM cards would be easier than controlling ammunition used by terrorist organizations to create bombs.
The success of this system requires screening foreign phones and searching for smuggled phones.
Thailand to Impose Strict ID Requirements for SIM Cards. (2005, April 20).
Retrieved April 23, 2005, from http://www.telecomasia.net/telecomasia/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=157302.
The
Thailand government will make it mandatory for consumers to produce either national ID cards or passports when buying SIM cards for prepaid mobile phones.
In addition, all existing 21.5 million prepaid Thai and foreign mobile phone users in Thailand will have to report their citizenship
identification or passport numbers to their respective phone operators within six months.
This web page has been archived.
Tackling Terrorism: Mobile ID Plan appears doomed. (2005, April 20).
Retrieved April 20, 2005, from http://im.sut.ac.th/sutmobile/mobile/page.php?ID=179&webID=0.
The
government plan to regulate SIM cards for prepaid phone services in Thailand may be undermined by commercial interests and impracticality.
Some mobile phone operators believe the government may use identification information to benefit those in the business community with intimate links to the government.
Of the 22 million prepaid phone users in Thailand, 13 million are customers of Advanced Info Service Plc, which is owned by family members of Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Operators further criticize the plan stating that terrorists could evade identification measures by creating fake ID cards, stealing phones or activating bombs by other means.
Phone curb won't stop high-tech terror. (2005, April 20).
Retrieved April 20, 2005, from http://im.sut.ac.th/sutmobile/mobile/page.php?ID=179&webID=0.
Proposed
counter terrorist measures in Thailand will call for registration and the provision of personal information when purchasing SIM cards for prepaid mobile phones.
However, this is unlikely to stop terrorists from setting explosives, and will not help in investigation and prevention of these attacks. Stolen phones are easy to obtain, and call tracing only establishes approximate location.
The registration of mobile phone cards does little to improve public safety, but may make the government appear to be tough in the face of escalating violence and increasing public fear.
IDs Required for SIM cards in May. (2005, April 22).
Retrieved April 23, 2005, from http://im.sut.ac.th/sutmobile/mobile/page.php?ID=179&webID=0.
All
buyers of SIM cards for prepaid mobile phones will have to show proof of identity as of May 10, 2005.
However, no decision could be reached on requiring the existing 22 million prepaid phone users to identify themselves to their mobile phone operators.
All cellular service providers will sign a memorandum of understanding on May 9. Mobile phone operators must now devise standard procedures to implement the rule.
The move is in response to the government's effort thwart separatists in the South from using prepaid mobile phones to set off explosives.
United Kingdom Top
Dodds, P. (2005, July 29). Last Suspects in Failed Bombings Nabbed. The Guardian.
By tracing cell phone calls across Europe to Rome, police were able to arrest the last of four
men connected with the failed bombings in London on July 21, 2005. Cellular phones tied to a
regular account are easier to trace than calls made from cell phones using anonymous prepaid
cards.
Can be accessed from this webpage as a pdf.
United States Top
Hanson, Wayne (2003, Nov.17). FCC Expands E911 Rules.
Retrieved Dec.12, 2003, from http://www.govtech.net/news/news.php?id=77512.
The
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the US revised the scope of
its Enhanced 911 (E911) rules by clarifying which technologies and
services will be required to transmit E911 location information to
public-safety answering points (PSAPs). Phase I of E911 requires
carriers, upon the request by a local PSAP, to report the telephone
number of a wireless 911 caller and the location of the antenna that
received the call. E911 Phase II requires wireless carriers to provide
the precise location of a 911 caller within 50 to 100 meters. The FCC
established a four-year Phase II deployment schedule for carriers,
beginning in October 2001 and to be completed by December 31, 2005.
Prepaid mobile phones, among other telecommunications services, are
affected by this order.
This web page has been archived.
Harding, Richard Allen (2004, May 1). Terrorism's impact: New laws increase power of law enforcement agencies; prepaid regulation to follow?
Retrieved Sept.29, 2004, from http://www.intelecard.com/ipcaview/03ipcaview.asp?A_ID=381.
The
International Prepaid Card Association helped investigate the use of
prepaid wireless and prepaid phone cards in the terrorist attack on the
World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. As a result of these
investigations, new laws have been created to increase power for law
enforcement agencies. The Patriot Act and the Intelligence Act of 2004
allow law enforcement agencies to obtain records without a court order.
One reaction to the use of prepaid wireless in conjunction with
terrorist activities is the requirement by many nations to register
every buyer of prepaid wireless devices or recharge services.
This web page has been archived.
Segermark, H. (2004, Oct.18). Prepaid call detail records: an anti-terrorism tool.
Retrieved Oct.27, 2004, from http://www.prepaid-press.com/ppp/view_article.php?id=598.
The
International Prepaid Communications Association will study the issue
of prepaid Call Detail Record (CDR) storage. To combat recent terrorist
activities that utilized anonymous prepaid mobile phones, a centralized
database of prepaid CDRs is being considered. A database holding all
prepaid phonecard CDRs could be subpoenaed to track calls made with
phonecards to and from various phones. However, some important
questions need to be considered: Who might have access to CDRs, and is
it possible to restrict access to federal anti-terrorist agencies?;
Would access to CDRs be restricted to anti-terrorism efforts?; Would
phonecard issuers have to risk being liable for providing their CDRs to
opponents in a lawsuit subpoenaing the central prepaid CDR database?
This web page has been archived.
Retske, G. (2004, Aug.20). Retske Report: Terrorism & Prepaid.
Retrieved Sept.29, 2004, from http://www.prepaid-press.com/ppp/view_article.php?id=542.
"Prepaid
services, by virtue of their ease of use, anonymity, universal
availability and non-traceability, have focused the attention of some
law enforcement and anti-terrorism agencies on prepaid services."
This web page has been archived.
McCullagh, D. (2001, Mar. 14). Prepaid Phones and Privacy Too.
Retrieved Apr.26, 2004, from http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,42408,00.html.
Companies
have begun to offer anonymous services to lure customers with poor
credit or without any credit history. In 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court
allowed telephone companies to continue using information they recorded
about customers in order to market other services to them. However,
anonymous phone services prevent firms from linking names with
customers' calling profiles. Anonymous prepaid cards are seen to
prevent businesses from using customer information from privacy
invasion.
This web page has been archived.
European Union Top
van Buuren, J. (2002, May 19). EU wants identification system for users of prepaid telephone cards.
Retrieved Dec.20, 2004, from http://www.heise.de/tp/r4/artikel/12/12574/1.html.
EU
Member States must adopt a common mechanism for identifying users of
prepaid telephone cards, in order to combat organised crime.
This web page has been archived.
Global Top
Prepaid Cellular To Reach 1.3 Billion Users By 2009. (2004, Mar. 16).
Retrieved Apr.13, 2004, from http://www.channelminds.com/article.php3?id_article=1771.
"Prepaid cellular users will reach over 1.35 billion users by 2009 with a 59% share of the total
global wireless market, according to a new report from mobile industry analysts, Baskerville."
Newman, A. (2004, March 16). Prepaid phones to reach 1.35 billion users by 2009.
Retrieved Apr.13, 2004, from http://www.infosyncworld.com/system/print.php?id=4711.
"Pay as you go" phones will take 59% of the market according to Baskerville analysts, especially in developing markets.
This web page has been archived.
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