Picture used for illustrative purpose only.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Emirates Auction, the leading UAE-based auction company in the Middle East, in partnership with Etisalat UAE, the telecoms pillar of e& (formerly known as Etisalat Group) announced the launch of the first UAE online auction, dubbed "#TAG" for mobile phone numbers.

This enables customers to link a mobile phone number to a short number #TAG, replacing the traditional way of dialing the 10-digit number.

The new service follows e&’s recent unveiling of “etisalat by e&” as the new brand identity for Etisalat UAE, in line with the Group’s positioning as the global technology and investment conglomerate that digitally empowers people and societies.

The innovative service illustrates the company’s continuous efforts to provide creative offerings that best support its customers’ requirements and enhance the customer experience.

The online auction, scheduled to conclude on June 22, 2022, allows customers to bid on a group of unique digit phone numbers that are only available to Etisalat UAE and Du post-paid customers.

These special numbers usually match the numbers pegged to special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries of customers. 

Adopting an innovative approach

In his remarks, Omar Matar Al Mannai, Executive Director of Emirates Auction, stated, "The introduction of such a service in collaboration with Etisalat UAE  is consistent with the company's core objective of meeting the varying requirements of its consumers from various groups and segments of society across the UAE."

"#TAG is not only a unique short phone number, but also an innovative marketing and communication tool.  Creating a VIP number that is personal to the business sets them apart and draws new customers with ease."                                                          

Enhancing the customers' experience

Khaled Elkhouly, Chief Consumer Officer at Etisalat UAE, highlighted how the service enhances customer experience, saying, "Etisalat UAE is constantly on the lookout for enriching consumer value propositions with solutions that enhance their experiences in today's fast-paced digital era."

"Our partnership with Emirates Auction provides our subscribers with an opportunity to own the first short mobile number regionally and globally. By using #TAG,  customers can connect faster and more effortlessly than ever before.

"#TAG demonstrates our responsibility in delivering best-in-class innovative solutions that bring positive change to the lives of our customers. Our commitment to staying aligned with the UAE government's digitalisation ambitions has empowered us to harness advanced technologies and maintain cutting-edge offerings that benefit all members of society."

Garnering a wide participation

Al Mannai further added, "The auction is organized based on the latest and most accessible bidding systems in the world and features many distinct numbers to attract the attention of customers, such as #10, #1234, #11, and #55555.

"It is also widely received due to its comprehensive vision to meet the customers' aspirations of obtaining unique and short numbers. Moreover, the online auctions organized by Emirates Auction are known for holding a public competition in obtaining these numbers in the most transparent manner."

Al Mannai noted that the auction will remain open until 22 June via the company's website and mobile smartphone applications. This stems from Emirates Auction's aim to provide customers with the best services possible, including the ability to obtain a unique hashtag number.

"Interested customers can view the available digit phone numbers on the auction's website at www.EmiratesAuction.com, download the free "Emirates Auction" app from the Apple Store or Google Play, or contact the company's customer service center."