Beijing Start Date Unexpectedly Profitable For Some Mobile Phone Users

IF (SHANGHAI)--On 12 July 2007, Interfax China reports corresponding mobile phone digits that have 20080808 as the last digits corresponding to start of the Beijing Olympic Games increased in price. An auction to sell the numbers is likely to be held 8 August 2007. Bidding for one such mobile phone owner's number is set to start at USD26,432 dollars (RMB 200,000). Some subscribers state they will not sell their numbers because of familiarity, however are receiving daily calls from strangers who want to purchase the mobile phone numbers. Mobile phone numbers in China differ in price according to which numbers include the digit four, which are cheaper since four is traditionally an unlucky number in China. Numbers with the digit nine are more expensive since nine is considered a lucky number. Also, numbers matching mobile phone users' birth date are also big sellers. China GrenTech is noted in a 22 July 2007 blog entry as they will cover the Olympics with WIFI in gymnasiums, stadiums and surrounding areas in six Olympic cities, including Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai.

http://www.interfax.cn/displayarticle.asp?aid=25828&slug=CHINA-TELECOM-MOBILE