Pre-paid mobile phones

Begin forwarded message:

From: Michael Kende <[email protected]>
Date: October 12, 2006 10:06:45 AM EDT
To: [email protected]
Subject: Pre-paid mobile phones

Last night I bought a pre-paid phone and the sales person asked for  
my ID, I asked why and he said it was to check that I am old enough  
to buy a phone- since I am 42, I was a bit dubious about that one,  
and then he typed my name and information into the system.  I asked  
why and he said it was a requirement.  My question for the group is,  
whose requirement, and why?  I kind of thought the whole point of pre- 
pay was that you can just buy a phone and there was no need for  
identifying information since there is no credit risk, or directory  
listing.  My colleagues tell me that in some European countries no  
information is needed, although that may change with new European  
directives.

Thanks,

Michael

Michael Kende
Principal Consultant
Analysys Consulting

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