Beware of Lucky Numbers!

All the while, I have been thinking of keeping my spare "m1" number till next year... and most probably port it over to other telco such as Singtel. However, I recall something, which is known as "Lucky Number" or "Golden Number".

Though all Telcos in Singapore offer number portability, but I remember reading articles on customers that have to pay extra charges upon porting their number to other service provider.

Well, after google-ing around. I'm right! Most cases happened to customers who were initially under m1. When these customers received their final bill, they did not expect to pay something that is known as 'lucky number fee levy'.


News Article: Blindsided by irony of 'lucky' levy for number portability
Source: AsiaOne

ABOUT two years ago, my wife, teenage son and I went to a MobileOne (M1) open house at Jurong Point atrium to sign up for an M1 line.

We selected the phone we wanted, chose from a list of numbers and signed the contract.

The sales promoter only highlighted to us that should we prematurely terminate our contract or downgrade our plan before the end of the two-year contract, we would be required to pay a penalty.

Note that I was just given a list of numbers to choose from and no special mention was made about this list. It was the usual practice of choosing a number from a list and nothing was said about the number I chose being a 'lucky' number when I signed the contract.

When my contract ended last month, I signed up with SingTel, taking advantage of the number portability scheme.

Imagine my surprise when I received my final M1 bill and it showed a charge of $100 for a 'lucky number fee levy' to port the number to SingTel.

There was nothing lucky about the number I chose. It was a random choice from a list. I would not have chosen that number or signed with M1 if it had been highlighted to me that the number was not portable or I would have to pay a fee of $100 to port it.

What is the point of the Infocomm Development Authority pushing for number portability if telcos can put in a clause in their contract that says otherwise?

This is the first time I have heard of a 'lucky number fee levy'. So to those about to sign a new contract with a telco, you should check if there is a cost involved if you port your number - in case the sales promoter conveniently forgets to mention it, as in my case.

'unlucky' number or just pay up and blame myself for being unlucky. What irony - and all because of a 'lucky' number

What are 'lucky' numbers?
According to M1's website, "lucky" numbers are defined as mobile phone numbers containing one of the following:
- have four similar last digits (eg. 3333);
- contain repeating numbers (eg. 4545, or 5445);
- have numbers that appear in sequence (eg. 4567).


Gosh! I don't remember the m1 promoter telling me this "levy" thing as well! From the source, I'm sure my spare m1 number (9XX67676) should be a "Lucky" number liao. Hmmm... Think is time for me to re-consider whether to keep this spare number...