Bahrain's third mobile phone company VIVA has moved a step closer to launching its operations, with customers able to reserve phone numbers from today.

People can visit VIVA outlets or visit the company's website www.33.com.bh to book their numbers.

Those who book a special VIVA number now will get a customised USB modem with up to 21 Mbps broadband and unlimited data download. They can also enjoy the fastest broadband in Bahrain free up to six months.

The company is expected to launch its new nationwide telecom service next month.

'This (number booking) is the first public step to link Bahrain to our global family,' said VIVA Bahrain project head Ibrahim bin Abdul Rahman Al Omar.

VIVA is being driven by the Saudi Telecom Company, which was last year granted a licence to operate in Bahrain.

It already has outlets at Bahrain Mall, the Gosi Complex and Isa Town Mall, as well as kiosks at Al Murjan Complex in Juffair, Al Jazeera in Zinj, LuLu Mall in Riffa, The Centre in Nuwaidrat, Jawad Dome in Barbar, Bahrain University in Sakhir and the BBK Financial Malls in Adliya, Budaiya and Muharraq.

The company has also occupied temporary space at the Bahrain City Centre and Seef Mall.-TradeArabia News Service