Re: Position escrow

[Geraint Price <Geraint.Price@cl.cam.ac.uk>]

> >One interesting, but unlikely possibility is an originate-only phone which
> >pays for calls with cash (e.g. Digicash, or a prepaid phone activation
> >card).  Since it can't receive calls, it doesn't need an identity.  What
> >would come out of the system is, "Someone in cell X called telephone number
> >Y."
> 
> There's already a way to do this: cloning. This is not always done
> just to avoid paying for service.  Certain cloners are entirely able
> and willing to pay for cellular service, but they demand anonymity.
> 
> Somebody should point out to the carriers that they could get rid of
> much of the incentive to clone phones if they simply offered a
> legit way to remain anonymous.
> 
> Phil

This technology already exists in Britain (I don't know about any other 
countries), where you can buy a mobile without any subscription information 
off the shelf. To use the mobile, you go and purchase a 'token' which allows 
you to use the mobile on a pay-per-call basis much the same as a public phone. 
I don't know the method of token implementation.

The police have started kicking up a fuss over this technology as they claim 
it hinders their investigation into criminal activity, because if they trace a 
cellular phone which turns out to be one of this type then they can't pull the 
info on the customer to go round knocking on doors.

Geraint