Greeks and foreigners will stand in line today to register about 13.5 million pre-paid mobile phones on their name. Until July 20, 2010 the owners of pre-paid mobiles phones will have to register their numbers. This equals to 215 business days, which means that every day about 62 800 mobile phones will have to be registered in select telecommunication stores.
This measure for pre-paid mobile phone owners was voted for by the previous government within the plan for fight against terrorism and criminality. Even though consumers will register their phones it will be hard to compare the data because meanwhile “numbers” will be traded on the black market.
In order to register their number all foreigners will have to show their residence permits, their documents showing they are fugitives, or another document proving their identity. Parents of children up to 18 years old will declare their children’s mobile numbers on their name and all illegal emigrants in Greece will not be able to have a mobile number. All unregistered pre-paid mobile number until July 31, 2010 will be disconnected.
In case the mobile phone is stolen or lost, the owner will have to inform the mobile company or disconnect the sim card. In case a mobile number is transferred to a new owner, he/she will have to register with the mobile company and provide all personal data needed. The people who have changed their mobile numbers or have given it to someone else, should not throw away their old registration for one year after they have disconnected their sim card.
The price for creating and functioning this registration system of pre-paid mobile phones will financially burden telecommunication companies and not the owners. It has been calculated that for registering one number the telecommunication company will have to pay €3 and all the phones, which should be registered by the end of July next year are 62 800 daily!