Minister to register next generation mobile phone users

PRE-PAID phones bought off the shelf anonymously will no longer be available when new 3G (third-generation) handsets are introduced early next year.

Communications Minister Dermot Ahern yesterday indicated he will introduce a register for 3G phones to protect children and also to prevent criminals from exploiting the anonymity currently afforded by pre-pay phones which can’t be traced back to an owner.

The long-awaited 3G platform will provide advanced technology on hand-sets including the capacity to down-load video clips and streams.