Mobile phone operators oppose registering pre-paid users

Today the government will analyze the proposed amendments to the telec ommunication law, which will allow the Interior Ministry (MSWiA) to have access to the personal data of pre-paid mobile phone users. The Information Technology and Telecommunication Chamber of Commerce estimates that mobile operators may lose an annual zl. 830 million due to this amendment, and VAT revenues to the budget might drop by over zl. 180 million in 2003. Moreover, telecom operators would be forced to create separate databases which will cost each of them zl. 10 million on average. "This law would increase our efficiency in fighting crime," claimed Alicja Hytrek, the spokesperson for the MSWiA. Representatives of telecom companies have different opinions, "I do not think that such changes would help combat crime. Bandits will simply stop using the pre-paid mobiles," said the director in charge of strategy and development in Polkomtel, Jerzy Sadowski. According to him, the only effect will be to slow down market growth. (Puls Biznesu, pp. 1, 6) M.M.