China's mobile phone users have to register using their real names starting from Sunday, reports China news.com.

Starting on September 1, all new mobile phone users and those looking to change internet providers have to register their real names in order to use these services. Customers who did not register before have to provide accurate personal information if they switch mobile phone plans.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology stated that, if mobile networks operators do not cooperate with the new mobile phone identification policy, they will be fined anywhere from 10,000 yuan (US$ 1636) to 30,000 yuan (US$ 4910).

China's three largest mobile phone network operators, China Mobile, China Unicom and Telecom, have stated that they are in full compliance with the new rule. They've also taken measures to encourage users who did not register their full information in the past to do so now.

The three operators also pledge that the personal information their customers provide will be secure.

Many small agents that sell mobile phone cards without registration have started to dump large amounts of phone cards in light of the rule's implementation.