DOHA: Qtel yesterday announced that it will make a renumbering application for mobile phones available free for all customers, in support of the national renumbering plan.

The application will automatically analyse and update all numbers stored in a mobile phone handset to support Qatar’s new numbering plan. Local numbers will have an extra digit automatically added, while international numbers will remain unchanged.

It will support majority of popular handsets here including Nokia, BlackBerry, iPhones, Android and Windows Mobile based devices as well as common devices from major mobile phone producers including Sony Ericsson, Samsung, LG and others.

Qtel is executing a detailed plan to support customers during the changeover process, building on its experience and understanding of the needs of customers in Qatar.

The launch of the free application will help minimise inconvenience to Qtel customers, and should ensure an easy and trouble-free switchover.

The application will be available from July 25, to enable people to upgrade their numbers alongside the national number change.

It is the only official application approved by Qtel, and customers are advised to use it rather than any of the unofficial number change programmes.

The number change is only applicable from July 28. Customers who change their contacts before this date will not be able to call the changed numbers. To support the launch of the application, customers will receive a link in a direct SMS for the download and installation of the application. Clicking on the link will analyze each customer’s phone and suggest the appropriate version of application to install.

When running the application, customers will have the option to change numbers or undo changes, to ensure that their upgraded address books retain all essential information. Customers will be able to either change all contacts, or make changes selectively.

The automatic number change application is part of Qtel’s ongoing support for all customers in the run-up to the National Number Change programme. Source: The Peninsula