National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has announced the launch of the first auction on the electronic “Auctions” platform, dedicated to premium short codes (three-digit and six-digit numbers), scheduled to take place on January 26, 2026, Invest-Gate reports.
Six-digit short codes are offered as an ideal opportunity for small and start-up companies to obtain distinctive short numbers, while three-digit codes are reserved for large corporations seeking to strengthen their brand identity. The Authority has called on all entities wishing to participate to promptly complete the registration procedures and pay the required deposit no later than January 21, 2026, in order to secure priority access to the auction. Convenient payment methods are available, including instant transfers via the InstaPay application.
It is worth noting that the NTRA has launched the “Auctions” platform as the first electronic platform of its kind in the Egyptian market, aimed at offering premium short contact numbers for customer service centers through an auction-based mechanism. This initiative follows specialized studies and research that revealed a gap between the availability of memorable premium numbers and market demand for them.
The “Auctions” platform helps users reach companies and institutions more easily, reducing the time and effort required to communicate and obtain services. It also contributes to improving the quality of customer service by providing clear and easy-to-remember contact numbers for banks, telecommunications companies, healthcare services, retail, tourism, real estate development, and other sectors. This, in turn, enhances response speed, service efficiency, and overall customer satisfaction.
The launch of the “Auctions” platform comes as part of the Authority’s strategy to strengthen Egypt’s position as a regional and global hub for contact center services, and to enhance its competitiveness in exporting digital services—especially in light of the significant development witnessed by the telecommunications and information technology sector over the past decade.
Platform link: https://auctions.tra.gov.eg/ar