Last year, in an effort to help reduce crime the Mexican government passed a law that required all pre-paid, anonymous mobile phone users to submit their personal information to their wireless provider and have their cellular line linked with their name and personal information.  The law was enacted to try and combat what Mexican authorities called “mobile extortion.”

Many ransom demands from organized crime and drug cartel kidnappings are often made via anonymous, pre-paid cell phones.  This is also the preferred method of communication for ‘common criminals” in Mexico.

The vast majority of Mexico’s estimated 84 million mobile phones are of the pre-paid variety.  With a weekend deadline looming for compliance with this new law over 30 million pre-paid users have failed to submit their information to the wireless companies.  If users do not submit their information by the deadline the wireless companies have been instructed to shut off these devices that are not in compliance.

As is the case with many laws there is opposition to this new ruling.  Critics say that these criminals will just register their devices with fake or other people’s credentials.  These critics also feel that denying the Mexican people access to cell phones, including unlocked cell phones, is a violation of their constitutional rights under Mexican law.  Telcom company America Movil is predicting losses of around $10 million a day if the 30 million unregistered lines are actually shut down.

While this new law seems like a good idea on paper I am sure it will not entirely deter the criminals from committing their crimes.  They may need to develop a new method of communication or register their mobile device in a fake name but will more than likely not stop crime altogether.

We continue to hear stories about accidents that have occurred due to people using their unlocked cell phones.  We have heard the stories regarding train operators, bus drivers and other people involved in public transportation.  The unfortunate thing is that there have been fatalities due to cell phone use.  We have also seen many accidents that have been caused by somebody talking on the phone or trying to change the music they are listening to.  This is why the transportation Ministry has issued the ban in Ontario and British Colombia.

The Ministry of Transport has stated that more than 20% of accidents can be directly linked to drivers not paying attention to the road.  This also includes cell phones being used for text messaging, talking and listening to music.  The ban also includes the use of handheld games, and DVD players.  The ban came into effect on October 26, 2009.  The police have been issuing warnings to anyone found using their cell phone or other devices while driving.

However, starting on February 1 drivers will now be fined up to $500 if they are caught in violation.  Drivers can use a GPS system as long as it is secured to the dashboard.  You can still use hands-free cell phone as well.  This goes hand-in-hand with the other provinces that have already implemented these bans.  The whole concept is to make the roads safer for everyone.  Many people agree with the ban and do not have a problem obeying it.

Even though Bluetooth Headsets are acceptable, it is important to remember not to get distracted while speaking on the telephone.  As drivers, it is everyone’s responsibility to make sure they are paying attention to the road in order to not create or get involved in an accident.

   So the election has come and gone and we are really no further ahead then before the election?  What does this mean for the country?  What about this talk about turmoil in the US?  Who knows we at PureMobile aren’t pretending to be economic gurus or aren’t going to give you advice on something that we shouldn’t.

   What we do want to do is continue the conversation we had last week.  Last week we talked about Stephen Harper and good for him he is going to be Prime Minister for a little longer, but this week we will shift our attention to the other Candidates.  We Have Stepane Dion, Gilles Duceppe and Jack Layton.  Now these three represent the other “major” parties of Canada.  There are “minor” parties that we will not talk about.

   What we want to know is what these three use as communication devices.  It’s safe to say that everyone has a cell phone, but which kind of cell phone?  Do they use BlackBerry’s?  Do they you a simple phone like a Motorola Razr?  We know our readers want to know.

   With the federal election only weeks away we are getting down to crunch time with Stephan Harper, Stéphane Dion, and Jack Layton being the front runners.  Like everyone we hear all the daily news stories about what the politicians are doing and where they are doing it.  What we want to know is what kind of cell phone they are using while out on the campaign trail.

   Stephan Harper is still young enough that technology isn’t out of his grasp.  He, like everyone else, uses a cell phone in his daily life.  The question is which one?  Does he use a smart phone, like a Blackberry or iPhone or is he more of the simple man and uses something like a Motorola Razr or Sony Ericsson k550?  At PureMobile this is a question that we think our customers want answered among other things like what are the politician’s views on cell phone fees like system access charges and early termination costs.

   What we want to know is what you think.  We want to know which cell phone our customers think Mr. Harper uses on the campaign trail.  On Tuesday we will reveal which phone he uses.  Until then you can look at our phone list here to get a better idea of the phones that are available to the candidates.