Nov. 4--KUWAIT -- Do you want a personalized number, or in Viva terms; a vanity number? You can actually get it by visiting Viva's website on www.viva.com.kw or by simply reserving it at Viva's hotline; 55-102102. Yesterday, Viva-Kuwait Telecom Company (KTC), the third mobile company to enter the telecommunications market in Kuwait officially launched a 'booking campaign' to kick-start their commercial operations in Kuwait.

Customers can reserve their 'vanity numbers' based on three categories; golden, silver and bronze. A special golden number will cost a subscriber KD 100, but the money will be donated to charity. We will not benefit from it. For silver and bronze, if you book your desired number, it will be free of charge," explained VIVA's CEO Najeeb Al-Awadhi during a press conference held at the Al-Rayya Ballroom in Sharq, during the launch of its new campaign.

Prospective customers are encouraged to book numbers to match their landlines, current mobile numbers, birthdates, dates of precious occasion, or simply a set of easy-to-memorize numbers. "All you need to do is contact Viva, book your selected number with your name and civil ID number and you'll get the number depending on its availability. Numbers are available on a first-come first-served basis. Viva however cannot guarantee the availability of any number, so book now; reservation is free," he enthused.

The number reservation campaign which will last for four weeks will give their clients the opportunity to enter the daily draw which will enable them to win free services for five full years (audiovisual communications, SMS and MMS messages and information services).

Salman Al-Badran the Third License Project Manager and Viva's Chief Technical Officer said the new number reservation service is being introduced in a distinct creative marketing fashion, which is commensurate with the company's strategy of offering its clients convenient services to meet their requirements and fulfill their aspirations. "Viva has spared no effort in keeping abreast with the latest communication technologies to ensure that its state-of-the-art network provides the best services to clients at the hands of highly skilled and well-versed Kuwaiti youths whose caliber of expertise doubles the value of services and products offered by Viva," he added.

Customers will be notified when their SIM cards are ready or if they have actually secured their desired numbers through SMS' or on their email addresses. Customers are advised to collect their SIM cards immediately when they are ready as the company reserves the right to resell the numbers to other customers. Interested customers can also book their numbers at any Viva branches located at the Marina Mall, The Avenues, Souq Sharq Mall, Al-Kout Mall, Kuwait Airport, Dar Al-Awadhi, Al-Salhiya Mall, Arraya Mall, Al-Muhallab Mall and Al-Kheima Mall.

They can also visit Viva's authorized dealers and book at any of the 42 BEC, LG, i2 and Eureka outlets nationwide. On being asked when they plan to start their operations, he said, "We'll start very soon; by the end of this year." The term 'Viva' is used to express acclamation, salute, or applause, and in Italian and Spanish, it means 'long live.' For KTC however, Viva means great life, innovation, dynamism, flexibility and easier life. Viva's commercial operations started 10 months ago after the company a cquired the third license to operate in Kuwait. Saudi Telecom Company (STC) is Viva's business partner in Kuwait.

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