Turn your name into your phone number

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David Flynn16 November 2009, 7:00 AM

A new Aussie Web site allows you to find what mobile number corresponds to your name – and if you’re so inclined, auction off your number to the highest bidder.


If you need a new mobile phone number, now there’s a way to help make it really yours.

Instead of a settling for a random string of digits, why not ensure the last few numbers represent your name, business or any other word?

That’s the thinking behind My Number (now up at www.mynumber.com.au), which also intends to become a marketplace where Australians can buy and sell personalised, lucky or just plain catchy mobile numbers.

Entering a word into My Number’s ‘Number2 Word Generator’ reveals the matching numbers based on the standard alphanumeric keypad, so you can ask your mobile telco for a number which ends in DAVID, for instance – which happens to be 32843.

If you’re happy to sign up with Optus, Virgin or Lebara (a virtual operator which piggybacks onto Vodafone’s network) you can request that number from them straight from the My Number site.

You can also register your interest in phone numbers containing that string of digits, should they become available through My Number’s auction system.

The process works the other way, too. If you enter your existing number and discover it may have some hidden but potentially prized value – for instance, a number ending in 35847 turns out to be ELVIS – you can put it up for sale.

(Indeed, if you’re a fan of The King we suggest you move quick smart, because My Number’s currently got 0488 835 847 – that’s 04 888 ELVIS – on sale for a mere $125.)

Unique and easy-to-remember numbers also attract a premium – we found 14 numbers containing or ending in 2222 (which also equates to ABBA, for fans of the Super Swedes) with an average price tag of $300.

My Number’s Matthew Donnellan says the service already has a database of over 100,000 numbers.

“We’ve seen how important personalisation is to consumers, particularly when it comes to mobile phones, so My Number is a logical next step and something that was really missing in the Australian market.... it’s a unique mobile phone offering for both businesses and consumers.”


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The Big Baboo (User):

What a load of walloping codswallop.Are people really that hard up that they have to have one phone number associated with them for the rest of their lives and oh what poor lives those must be.Australia Wake Up and smell the universe before it craps on you!!

16 November 2009, 8:01 AM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting The Big Baboo:
Are people really that hard up

Hard Up? How do you deduce hard up from that?


Quoting The Big Baboo:
Are people really that hard up that they have to have one phone number associated with them

A consistant presentation of phone numbers email addresses etc is a essential for any growing business. It allows freedom to choose carriers, and revision of business operations without being held to ransom by providers.
No matter how reminders and updates you distribute, human nature says a good many of your recipients (customers) will not update their directories. How many small businesses can afford to have a swag of hard won customers unable to contact them easily and likely assuming they have gone out of business.

That said I dont see that everyone needs a wordy number particularly when most will go to handset phonebooks or directories and never be typed again, let alone embedded in peoples brains.

Most of the carriers offer some measures for business customers to select easily remembered numbers, and looking through the my numbers site its apparent the pickings are pretty bare for anything 4 digits and above. I dont see this being a world beater especially at the asking prices.


16 November 2009, 8:45 AM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

The Big Baboo (User):

Quoting Raindog:
Hard Up? How do you deduce hard up from that?

Well "Raindog" I always thought the main appeal of "going mobile" was the idea that you wouldn't ever have to be tied down to the one number again.Y'know you were loose as a goose,you could spread out all over this wide brown land.The Telephone Ombudsman ( and others ) would have a hard time tracking you down. And as far as business numbers go: They should wait for me to contact them and not vicky versa. I'm a Grey Nomad now and I like to get out and about.





16 November 2009, 11:18 AM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting The Big Baboo:
Well "Raindog" I always thought the main appeal of "going mobile" was the idea that you wouldn't ever have to be tied down to the one number again.

Then you'd be wrong. The main appeal in mobile service would be its ability to be mobile.


Quoting The Big Baboo:
The Telephone Ombudsman ( and others ) would have a hard time tracking you down.

That'd be handy in business.


Quoting The Big Baboo:
And as far as business numbers go: They should wait for me to contact them

Wouldn't that entail them having a consistant number you could contact them by?




16 November 2009, 11:52 AM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

The Big Baboo (User):

Quoting Raindog:
Then you'd be wrong. The main appeal in mobile service would be its ability to be mobile.
That's right "going mobile" Means never having to be stuck to the one number again. E.G. Having a radio would be ok but a phone no.



Quoting Raindog:
The Telephone Ombudsman ( and others ) would have a hard time tracking you down.
Why would he want to track me down :( I'm mobile remember :) I've taken my stationary number and stuck it into the cracks of the universe where some alien will probably retrieve it a thousand years after I'm dead.




Quoting Raindog:
Wouldn't that entail them having a consistant number you could contact them by?
Well yea The stores would have a constant number because you'd have to contact them for after-sales service and warranty claims and stuff like that but that doesn't mean it should be easy for them to find you. You're Grey remember and a nomad on the face of this our noble (mobile) country.







16 November 2009, 2:10 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting The Big Baboo:
That's right "going mobile" Means never having to be stuck to the one number again.

It means nothing of the sort. For that matter neither does a fixed line, for a fee you can change numbers on your mobile or fixed services to your hearts content. Neither of which is good for business.


Quoting The Big Baboo:
Why would he want to track me down

You tell me, you brought the reference to the debate.



Quoting The Big Baboo:
Well yea The stores would have a constant number because you'd have to contact them for after-sales service and warranty claims and stuff like that but that doesn't mean it should be easy for them to find you.

What has that got to do with the topic?


Quoting The Big Baboo:
You're Grey

How can you be sure?


Quoting The Big Baboo:
and a nomad

You getter colder by the moment.


Number recognition has nothing to do with anonimity, never did never will. The people wishing to hide their numbers are generally those with something to else hide, the service mentioned has nothing to with hiding or the wish to be free from advertising. Other measures are available for this.

While you wish to hide your number please consider that other may require exactly the opposite.


16 November 2009, 2:24 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

The Big Baboo (User):

Quoting Raindog:
For a fee you can change numbers on your mobile or fixed services to your hearts content. Neither of which is good for business.
That's funny that "Raindog" A few years ago,not exactly sure when our number mysteriously disappeared from the phone directory,I never asked them to do it but as sure as hell I'm not asking them to put it back in.


Quoting Raindog:
Neither of which is good for business.
"Raindog" I don't have a business to run and I really don't care how anybody else runs theirs as long as they're happy and making their profits and staying out of my hair I'm happy

Quoting Raindog:
You're Grey
Ooooooooo yea I'm gray and proud DO YOU HEAR ME THERE You young whipper-snapper you :)


Quoting Raindog:
You getter colder by the moment.
Wish i was getting colder here "Raindog" Three days of over 40c have just about worn me to a frazzle.The only highlight was a really rousing rock band on the Saturday which managed to kick out any last vestiges of hearing I've got left.
Do you understand "Raindog" No matter what you say,I can't hear you :)

16 November 2009, 3:55 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting The Big Baboo:
No matter what you say,I can't hear understand

That is apparent.



16 November 2009, 3:59 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

The Big Baboo (User):

Quoting Raindog:
That is apparent.
Is that it? Where's your verbal cut and thrust?Your witty remarks? Your amazing comebacks? Boy they must really have you under their thumb wherever it is that you are if that's the best you can come up with.








16 November 2009, 4:31 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Michellea (User):

wow..that's cool..it won't be hard to remember lots of numbers..

16 November 2009, 5:41 PM (4 months ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

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