Are Old China Mobile Numbers "Appreciating"? Do You Own a 138 or 139 Number?

Are Old China Mobile Numbers "Appreciating"? Do You Own a 138 or 139 Number?Mobile phones have become an indispensable part of life today, from online shopping and ordering takeout to entertainment and socializing. Mobile phones cover almost every aspect of our daily lives

Are Old China Mobile Numbers "Appreciating"? Do You Own a 138 or 139 Number?

Mobile phones have become an indispensable part of life today, from online shopping and ordering takeout to entertainment and socializing. Mobile phones cover almost every aspect of our daily lives. However, few people realize the "history" and "value" hidden behind mobile phone numbers. Especially those numbers starting with 138 and 139, which were released by China Mobile in its early days, are now experiencing an "appreciation period". Do you possess such a string of numbers? Do they hold unique memories for you?

I. From "Big Brother" to "Golden Number": The Innovation and Development History of China Mobile Phone Numbers

In China, most people use 11-digit phone numbers. The first three digits represent the area code, while the last eight digits are the user's number. This simple sequence of numbers embodies the epitome of China's telecommunications industry development.

In the 1980s, China began to implement a phone number system, where the first digit of the number was "0". With rapid economic development and the advancement of communication technology, the telephone network expanded rapidly. In 1994, China Mobile was officially established and, within just five years, it quickly rose to become the undisputed leader in the industry, snatching 15 million users from China Telecom and China Unicom.

In those days, owning a mobile phone was a luxury, just like owning a luxury brand handbag now. A mobile phone was even comparable to a luxury car. The hottest phones at the time were called "Big Brother," as bulky as bricks, but they drove countless people crazy. Those who could own a "Big Brother" were naturally wealthy figures.

With the rise of mobile phone brands like Nokia, Xiaolingtong, and Motorola, mobile phones gradually shed their "luxury" label, while the limited six-digit numbers became insufficient. To meet the ever-growing demand from users, China Mobile launched mobile numbers starting with 138 and 139. According to statistics, only 9.99 million of these numbers were released, making them limited in quantity.

At the time, using a number starting with 138 or 139 required a prepaid balance of over 1,000 yuan, and monthly fees of over 100 yuan were needed to maintain it. In those days, the average monthly salary was only a few dozen yuan. Such a high cost of keeping a number could only be afforded by a select few. Therefore, these numbers became known as "Numbers for Bosses".

China Mobile also launched extensive marketing campaigns to promote its new numbers, which quickly gained public recognition. Now, more than 20 years have passed since these two number segments, 138 and 139, were introduced. Those who own these numbers are undoubtedly loyal users of China Mobile, and they have witnessed the development history of the mobile communications industry.

II. Old Numbers "Appreciating": Cultural Symbols in the Collection Craze

As time passed, those early mobile phone numbers gradually became "treasures" in people's eyes. They are not only tools for communication but also bear the imprint of history, becoming a kind of cultural symbol.

People's focus on culture, history, and technology is continuously increasing, and the collection market is also burgeoning. Some people have a particular fondness for numbers, believing that certain number combinations hold auspicious meanings. For example, 6, 8, and 9 represent auspicious wishes like everything going smoothly, congratulations on getting rich, and lasting forever.

In the business world, people have endowed phone numbers with unique commercial value. They choose numbers with consecutive digits or other special meanings, believing these "lucky numbers" can enhance company influence and commercial value.

Some companies spend a lot of money purchasing "golden numbers" as their company's promotional numbers, deepening the impression of their brand on partners. Quite a few people, in pursuit of auspicious signs or sentimentality, are also willing to spend a high price to purchase "lucky numbers." Rarity makes things precious. These numbers have gradually developed into a valuable collectible.

Previously, a leopard number phone number was auctioned publicly on a certain platform, with a starting price of over ten million yuan, attracting the attention of countless netizens. And those users who own "old numbers" starting with 138 and 139 have begun to transfer their numbers. These numbers are scarce and possess commemorative value, being regarded as "living fossils" by some, who are eager to purchase them.

III. A Rational View of "Appreciation": Market Laws and Personal Needs

The "appreciation" of old numbers is largely determined by the relationship between market supply and demand. For ordinary users, a mobile phone number is just a communication tool. Whether it is a "lucky number" or not is not important as long as it can be used normally.

Some people hold an investment mindset, believing that "golden numbers" and "lucky numbers" will appreciate with time. However, this is a market filled with risks. Number prices fluctuate continuously. Without proper research and an understanding of market trends, you could easily lose money.

During transactions, we also need to be careful to protect our privacy information, preventing it from being exploited by illegal elements.

IV. Secondary Release and Personal Information Security: Potential Risks of Old Numbers

When a mobile phone number is cancelled, the operator will reclaim it and reuse it, which is what we call "secondary release." If we accidentally choose a "secondarily released" number, we may encounter spam calls, as these calls may have been obtained from the previous owner of that number.

When you need to recover your mobile phone number, the process can only be completed at the operator's own business halls, not at other self-operated mobile phone stores. If these stores claim they can recover the number, they are definitely scamming you.

Regarding the issue of personal information leakage after cancelling a mobile phone number, we should unbind any services related to the mobile phone number before cancellation, such as mobile phone software, game accounts, bank accounts, etc., to avoid personal information leakage.

V. Returning to the Essence: The Value of a Number Lies in Communication

Although the value of old numbers seems to be constantly rising, for ordinary people like us, there is not much fuss about choosing a mobile phone number. As long as the number is easy to pronounce, easy to remember, and meets our daily communication needs, that's enough.

The essence of a mobile phone number is to facilitate communication and exchange, not an investment tool. We should not overspend because of market fluctuations, but make rational choices of numbers that suit us.

Summary

If you are interested in those old numbers that have collectible value, please make sure to understand the market value of the number beforehand or consult with relevant professionals before making a decision. Nowadays, with the rapid development of technology, we need to maintain a clear mind when pursuing what we want, avoiding being caught in scams.

Choosing the right number for your reasonable needs is the most important thing. Don't overspend because of market fluctuations. Market increases and decreases are unpredictable, and the possibility of getting rich through any particular action is extremely low. It is most important to be rational in the face of temptations around you and live your own life steadily.

References:

• Yunjuan Yunshu Yuan (2024-06-26). Are Early China Mobile Numbers Entering an "Appreciation Period"? Do You Have a Number Starting with 139 or 138?

• Science Explorer (2024-09-03). Are Early China Mobile Numbers Entering an "Appreciation Period"? Do You Have a Number Starting with 139 or 138?

• Quanzhou Talks History (2024-10-05). Are Early China Mobile Numbers Entering an "Appreciation Period"? Do You Have a Number Starting with 139 or 138?

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