Vanity
Some telephone keypads now have letters as well as numbers. This makes alphadialling possible.
Alphadial numbers spell names and words with the keypad, for example 73487 for the Federal Network Agency for Electricity, Gas, Telecommunications, Post and Railway. You just type the letters of the name or word, instead of the call number.
The following alphadial format has been recommended by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU):
| 1 | 2ABC | 3DEF |
| 4GHI | 5JKL | 6MNO |
| 7PQRS | 8TUV | 9WXYZ |
| 0 |
0180, 0190, 0700, and 0800 alphadial numbers are available; the number of digits in the call number depends on the prefix (eg 0700 12345678).
The allocates numbers using decimal characters, not letters, and does not check if a number spells a name, or which name it spells.
If you would like an alphadial number, you therefore need to apply for the numerical combination which spells the name or word of your choice.
To apply, simply use the application form for the type of number you choose (0180, 0190, 0700, or 0800).