CABLE & WIRELESS has reassured customers following concerns raised by the data protection commissioner over the release of telephone numbers to obtain mobile phone credit. Marketing director Mark Briers apologised today after criticism from Dr Peter Harris, who questioned the company over the security of its new top-up system.

‘We can only apologise if any of our customers have felt their privacy has been compromised in any way, but on the whole the response to the new system has been very positive,’ he said. ‘We would stress, however, that no one needs to give out their mobile number. If you are asked, let us know and we will take it up with the outlet concerned.’

The company recently scrapped card top-ups in favour of a Pin system in which mobile users insert their number into a keypad.

But customers revealed they had been asked to give their number to shop assistants.

Dr Harris had expressed concerns about what might happen if the number of a young or vulnerable person fell into the wrong hands and suggested the company change its system.

Mr Briers stressed that the system posed no risk to people’s privacy.

‘The procedure should be no different to entering a Pin number when using a credit card,’ he said.

‘Before the new system went live, we provided training sessions for all our outlets and also gave out packs containing the operating instructions, including the procedure for topping up. The customer is supposed to be given the keypad to enter their number, just as they would with a chip and Pin card.’

C&W installed new terminals at around 100 top-up outlets around Guernsey at the end of last month.

Mr Briers said the new system had proved enormously popular, with a 10% increase in transactions since its launch.

The company is also launching a swipe-card system, which will be available from Saturday at its High Street shop.

‘It means customers no longer even have to enter any information into the terminal,’ said Mr Briers.

‘Instead, they simply pass the card through a reader for the new credit to be added.’

The company is launching the new Sure brand tomorrow, offering new mobile packages for users including online top-ups.

Mr Briers said the new options were designed to give mobile customers more choice and flexibility.

There will also be environmental benefits, he said.

‘Another major benefit of no longer having the old system is that paper cards are no longer needed. The waste generated is now a thing of the past.’