Mobile phone numbers fetch QR12mn at Qtel auction
Originally published in Gulf Times on February 26, 2009
MORE than QR12mn was raised at an auction of “vanity numbers” by Qtel last evening. The entire proceeds go to charity.
Up for grab were 50 easy-to-remember mobile phone numbers in the 6 series and some 100 undeterred bidders actively took part in the proceedings held at the Four Seasons Hotel.
The highest amount quoted for an undisclosed ETR number yesterday was QR2.8mn. Qtel refused to reveal both the number and the identity of the successful bidder, citing privacy and legal reasons.
The lowest price for a combination of the seven digit number was QR30,000.
The event recorded a total of QR12,104,000.
“The whole amount raised through this event will go to a central Qtel account and from there, it would be distributed to charitable causes, in line with our corporate social responsibility (CSR) theme of ‘For Qatar, Hand in Hand’,” Qtel Group Communications executive director Adel al-Mutawa told Gulf Times.
The numbers that were offered for bidding were: 611 1111, 610 0001, 601 0000, 601 1111, 611 1116, 606 6666, 611 6116, 644 4444, 663 3333, 666 6666, 622 2222, 667 6666, 666 7777, 665 5556, 666 6656, 669 6666, 666 6966, 666 3666, 666 6000, 666 6606, 670 0000, 696 6696, 676 9999, 665 6666, 616 9999, 664 0000, 676 7676, 666 5556, 696 9666, 677 7778, 680 0000, 611 1110, 626 6666, 699 0000, 696 9999, 676 6666, 699 9999, 677 7766, 622 2226, 687 0000, 690 0000, 681 8888, 688 8882, 688 8886, 622 2221, 621 0000, 611 1000, 688 0000, 611 1161 and 654 6666.
At a previous auction conducted by Qtel, the number 666 6666 had fetched a world-record of QR10mn ($2.75mn) and this has been entered into the Guinness Book of World Records latest edition as the highest amount quoted.
The auction was open to both citizens and residents alike and required pre-registration.
Qtel’s multi-pronged CSR strategy focuses on education, healthcare, environment, social welfare and sports.
“We are fully committed to all the pillars of our strategy to give people back and will continue to believe in not just profit, but the people and the planet,” al-Mutawa added.
As Published
