Cell numbers have always been easy to get hold of here in . You could go to your local branch of or Mobile and get one there, pop along to the local convenience store and grab one with your instant noodles or pick one up at those little kiosk’s you sometimes find dotted around towns. From Wednesday (tomorrow) however the process of getting a number might become a little less convienent due to to legistlations requiring customers to provide their real and proof of who they are.
The
new laws will affect only
new customers to begin with, but the government plan to have old
phone number owners registered with their real
details within 3 years. Interestingly though, a government source claimed that any existing customer not releasing their real
details will not be punished and will still continue to be provided with a
phone service!? Which could be why
China Unicom are planning to reward existing owners with gifts if they come forward and provide their real information quickly.
Phone users are split on the
new requirements with some thinking their personal information might be used in ways against their interest, with others beliving the
new law could wipe out spam text messages and
phone calls, and could eventually lead to a better standard of service.