The anonymous purchase of pre-paid mobile phones will be harder from today in China and Bahrain with the intorduction of new policies aimed at improving public safety.

In China both an identity card and registration with a real name will be required from now on when buying a new phone. Current users have until 2013 to register under their real name or be suspended according to the Chinese Global Times.

The Kingdom of Bahrain has introduced similar measures today advising users to ensure that their mobiles are properly registered to avoid suspension of service.

The new policies are described as being introduced in the interest of public safety in the fight against mobile abuse and criminal behavior. This will require a huge effort in China alone where it is estimated that there are over 700 million phone subscribers, 70 per cent of which use pre-paid, anonymous, SIM cards.

In Bahrain reports suggest that as many as 400,000 unregistered mobiles were disconnected after the 31st August deadline passed. Prior to the disconnection users were advised on Friday 27th August by public announcement from the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) that users had until midnight 31st August to ensure proper registration.

'All unregistered prepaid mobile users are encouraged to visit their mobile operators outlets in person to register their mobile lines by no later than midnight of 31 August 2010 to avoid the suspension of mobile services.

'The mobile operators have already started to notify all unregistered or improperly registered prepaid mobile subscribers via voice recorded message, SMS and the media to register their personal details with their services provider in order to continue un-interrupted use of mobile services.

'Customers buying new prepaid lines indirectly or through resellers must contact their mobile operators in person to complete registration and activate the line.

'The obligation for mobile operators to register their subscribers personal details arise from the Regulation on the Requirement to Register Details of Prepaid Mobile Telecommunications Services Subscribers issued by TRA in July 2008.’

Proper registration of mobiles is to be encouraged but experts think it is unlikely to solve the problem of mobile misuse or of fraudulent practices by criminals who are willing to circumvent the system for monetary gain.