Looking ahead

Events and stories coming up in the next few days

Phone buyers must use real names

A strict rule to require mobile phone users to register with their real names will take effect on Sept 1. All new customers to the country's telecom companies will be required to present identification cards to buy SIM cards. Existing customers who did not previously provide IDs must complete the registration as soon as possible. Under the new rule, telecom operators can temporarily stop customers' service in order to prod them to finish their registration.