New legislation advanced by U.S. senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and John Cornyn (R-TX) would require buyers of prepaid cell phones to present identification and make phone companies keep prepaid buyers' information on file, as is already done with users of landline phones and subscription-based cell phones.

The proposal was made in the wake of the attempted bombing of Times Square by an alleged terrorist who reportedly used a prepaid cell phone to arrange the purchase of the Nissan Pathfinder that he attempted to turn into a car bomb.

Prepaid phones can be purchased and activated without signing a contract or undergoing a credit check, providing a high level of anonymity for users. The legislation is intended to deter terrorists and drug dealers from using the devices to anonymously coordinate illegal activities.

Calling the proposal "overdue", Schumer said prepaid cell phones presented a "dead end" for law enforcement officials. "There's no reason why it should still be this easy for terror plotters to cover their tracks," Schumer said in a statement.

Some states already require prepaid cell phone users to register their identifications, including Texas, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Georgia and South Carolina. The legislation from Schumer and Cornyn is the first federal proposal on the issue.

There is no companion bill on the issue in the House and it is unclear whether Schumer and Cornyn's legislation will be put into law.

Countries such as Australia, Germany and Japan already require registration of prepaid cell phone users to deter terrorism.