Phone registration

Concerning the article headlined Phone providers clueless over prepaid card registration, it is explained that "The issuance of a ministerial regulation requiring prepaid card cell phone subscribers to register with cellular providers is causing confusion among the companies."

And, "Three major cellular providers -- PT Telkomsel, PT Indosat and PT Excelcomindo Pratama -- acknowledged that they were still assessing which measures would be feasible to implement and best suit the interests of their customers and card vendors."

Why confusion? The best interests of all citizens, customers or not, card vendors or not, is registration, so that terrorists will know that using a cellular system for explosive detonations can be traced back to them.

If these super tech big three are still confused, let them seek guidance from the Thais, who have threatened to block service to non-registered phones.

And guess what -- an article I saw on BBC News also reported that there were long lines of people waiting to register their phones. Freedom to choose -- register your phone or have it blocked.

You have to talk to people in language they understand and put security ahead of almighty profit.

Richard E. Hartman Bandung