Not really a newbie question but can't think of where else to post it.  How long has it been since cell phone companies started offering really cheap, top-up phones that could be bought with complete anonymity?  The last part is the most important.  Has it always been possible to have an anonymous cell phone?  If not, when did that start.  Were they available in 2005?

Just one answer out of several: began in 1990s

-- Modified on 3/4/2011 9:23:41 AM

Pre-paid credit cards have been more recent but growth has been exponential.

Just curious what is important about 2005?

It's for a novel I've been writing.  Needed to know if someone could have bought an untraceable phone back then.