Pre-paid Phone Card Users Must Now Register

(2/28/2006)

In a major step to control the misuse of untraceable mobile phone numbers by tricksters, terrorists and other irresponsible parties, the Bali branch of PT Telkom has commenced registering the purchasers of pre-paid telephone cards.

The move towards eventual registration of all mobile hand phone users in Indonesia is in response to new regulation issued by Indonesia's Minister of Communications stipulating that between October 29, 2005 and April 28, 2006 all pre-paid phone card users must clearly register their identities or face having their phone service terminated. Since October 28th all new pre-paid phone card used purchasing cards at the PT Telkom office have been required to present personal identification in order to register their ownership of the subject telephone number. Similar measure are being introduced over time through the large network of private distributors of pre-paid phone cards.

To hasten the registration of pre-existing phone cards PT Telkom is placing advertisements in major media reminding their customers of the need to register as well as sending short-messaging-service (SMS) reminders to all unregistered numbers.

There are currently an estimated 140,000 pre-paid phone cards in use on Bali. PT Telkom authorities insist that any user who has failed to register his or her identity by the April 28, 2006 deadline can expect to have their number deactivated.