Registration for SIM cards

The policy on real-name registration for mobile phone numbers went into effect Sunday, requiring that all customers show their identification cards as to buy mobile phone SIM cards or switch their telecom network.

Telecom carriers are asked to implement the real-name registration system and organize annual self-inspection of the system, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said in July. Telecom operators refusing to implement the system will be fined by up to 30,000 yuan ($4,902).