China will implement a real-name registration system requiring mobile phone users to give their personal information when buying cell phone SIM cards starting on Wednesday, according to a notice from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

The notice said the real-name system will be carried out in two phases: new mobile phone users will be registered starting in September; while registration of old users will be completed in three years after related laws and regulations are put into effect. The notice stressed that the real-name system will also apply to users of Xiao Ling Tong, or Personal Access Phone System (PAS).

A Beijing News report said China's major mobile providers, such as China Unicom, will give rewards to encourage old users to register.

Meanwhile, an unnamed employee of a mobile provider told the newspaper that cell phone service won't be terminated if a user refuses to register, since some members of the floating population could find the new system troublesome.

The report noted that the real-name system aims to protect users' privacy and curb spam text messaging, but some consumers worry that their personal information will be used for other purposes.

Xiang Ligang, a telecom industry professional, said the advantages of the real-name system far outweigh the disadvantages.

Xiang said besides curbing harassment from commercial ads, the real-name system will be helpful for the future development of mobile phone networks, including location-based services and e-businesses.

(CRIENGLISH.com August 31, 2010)