The National Credit Bureau (NCB) plans to collect mobile phone usage data to meet the World Bank's recommendation for additional information in evaluating ease of doing business.

The credit bureau will gather data from utility service providers, starting with mobile phone usage. Such data is available from the country's three mobile phone operators -- Advanced Info Service Plc (AIS), True Move H Universal Communication (TUC) and Total Access Communication Plc (DTAC) -- said NCB chief executive Surapol Opasatien.

Mr. Surapol said the NCB needs regulatory amendments to allow it to provide such information and has already informed the Bank of Thailand. Regulations to be amended include those governing both the NCB and mobile phone service operators.