Web squatters hit WAP numbers

By JAMES MCLEAN
Updated:

 

Corporate telephone numbers have become the latest target of internet website squatters and speculators, according to research by internet name registrar Easyspace. The company says the arrival of wireless application protocol mobile phones that are capable of surfing the internet has seen a surge in the registration of well-known company phone numbers as part of website addresses.

Popular freephone 0800 company numbers are proving especially popular. 'Easyspace estimates that in the last week it has seen a jump exceeding 50% of people regis-tering telephone numbers...Number domains are still in abundance, giving speculators new opportunities to exploit,' Easyspace said. 'Telephone number domains could be used to facilitate take-up of WAP telephones as users' telephone numbers can also be their web address.'

Specialist web companies that have fallen victim to the craze of number registering include the internet directory service Scoot.com. Its well-known 0800 192192 number has been registered as www.0800192192.com to Hertfordshire-based net firm Access Internet. The latest trend follows the establishment of a market in traditional domain names which has resulted in addresses such as www.business.com changing hands for millions of pounds.

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