UAE residents will soon start scrambling to re-do phonebooks, contact listings and business cards ahead of the launch of a new mobile phone number prefix in the country.
Etisalat will be introducing the code 056 for its mobile network after exhausting the number options on its original 050 code.
The move is also aimed at preparing the local market for the launch of its first and only competitor - du.
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority granted Etisalat the use of the code 056 as a second code for the company's subscribers.
Etisalat and du are currently working out an exchange of numbers that is held up due to technical procedures from both sides.
Etisalat CEO Mohammed Al Qamzi told Emirates Today's sister paper Al Bayan that the former monopoly holder would start using the extra code after the official launch of the integrated communications network du, which is set to take place in December.
That gives UAE residents a little less than two months to get their numbers in order.
"Right now my mobile has something like 150 contacts in it mostly mobile numbers.
"Of course, I did not include their mobile code in the number as from mobile to mobile you do not have to punch in the code. Now I am going to have to go through all of them. I definitely do not look forward to that. It will take up an entire evening," said Dubai sales and marketing officer Talha Arif.
The UAE has only had one mobile code since the service was made available, and many residents say they cannot imagine having another.
"Lots of times when you list a mobile number you do not include the 050 part. It is just understood. It is not part of my signature on my e-mails or documents. I will have to add the code now and pay more attention when people tell me their numbers," said Sharjah resident Niki Merchant.
Du is a new brand unveiled by Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC). It had originally planned to start operations in the third quarter of this year. But it now intends to start before the end of the year. It plans to initially provide mobile services all across the UAE based on a 3G/4G infrastructure while fixed-line services and voice, data and pay TV services will be launched in phases.
By Zarina Khan
© Emirates Today 2006
