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A Telephone numbering plan allows subscribers to make and receive telephone calls, taking different formats in different parts of the world, although the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has attempted to promote common standards among nation states. For example, the ITU recommends that member states adopt 00 as their international access code. However, as these recommendations are not binding on member states, many have not, such as the United States, Canada, and other countries and territories participating in the North American Numbering Plan.
An 'open' numbering plan is one in which there are different dialing arrangements for local and long distance telephone calls. This means that to call another number withn the same city or area, callers need only dial the number, but for calls outside the area, an area code is required. The area code is prefixed by a trunk code (usually '0'), which is omitted when calling from outside the country. To call a number in Amsterdam in the Netherlands for example:
In the United States, Canada, and other countries or territories using the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), the trunk code is '1', which is also the country calling code. To call a number in San Francisco, the dialing procedure will vary:
A 'closed' numbering plan is one in which the subscriber's number is a standard length, and is used for all calls, even in the same area. This has traditionally been the case in small countries and territories where area codes have not been required. However, there has been a trend in many countries towards making all numbers a standard length, and incorporating the area code into the subscriber's number.This usually makes the use of a trunk code obsolete. For example, to call Oslo in Norway before 1992, one would dial:
After 1992, this changed to a closed eight-digit numbering plan, eg:
In other countries, such as France, Belgium, Switzerland, and South Africa, the trunk code is retained for domestic calls, whether local or national, eg:
While the use of full national dialing is less user-friendly than only using a local number without the area code, the increased use of mobile phones, which require full national dialing and can store numbers, means that this is of decreasing importance. It also makes easier to display numbers in the international format, as no trunk code is required- hence a number in Prague Czech Republic can now be displayed as:
Country Code: 7
Under the Russian numbering plan, the trunk code is '8', with subscribers numbers being a total of ten digits long, e.g Moscow:
Following the break-up of the former Soviet Union, all former republics apart from Kazakhstan now have separate international from Russia, although from some republics, the old area codes are still used. The international access code is 8~10 - callers dial '8', wait for a tone, and then dial '10', followed by the number.
Proposed Country Code: 3
In 1996, the European Commission proposed the introduction of a single telephone numbering plan, in which all European Union member states would use the code '3'. Calls between member states would no longer require the use of the international acces code '00'. This proposal would have required countries like Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark and others, whose country codes began with the digit '4', to return these to the International Telecommunication Union. For example, to call a number in Berlin, in Germany:
Countries like Ireland, Portugal and Finland, which used codes in the '35x' range, would adopt a different format. For example, to call a number in Dublin, Ireland:
A Green Paper on the proposal was published, but it was felt by many in the industry that the disruption and inconvenience of such a scheme would outweigh any advantages.
The EU proposal should not be confused with the European Telephony Numbering Space (ETNS) scheme, which uses the code +388, and is intended to complement, rather than replace, existing national numbering plans.
Country Code: 44
Since April 28, 2001, the overall structure of the UK's National Numbering Plan is:
See UK Telephone numbering plan
Country Code: 353
Telephone numbers in Ireland are similar in format to those in the United Kingdom, with only the subscriber's number being required for local dialing. The trunk prefix is '0' followed by an area code, the first digit indicating the geographical area.
Area codes have varied in length, between one and three digits, and subscribers' numbers between five and seven digits but there is now a migration to a standard format, as follows:
Dublin numbers are seven digits, but may change to eight digits in the future. The 08 numbering range was originally used for calls to Northern Ireland, but following the UK's renumbering of Northern Ireland in 2000, this changed, so to call a number in Belfast from the Republic:
The 03 numbering range was originally used for calls to Britain, but this was discontinued in 1992, when the international access code changed from 16 to 00.
Mobile phones use the prefixes 086, 087 and 088, with 0818 being used for 'find me anywhere' services. Freephone services use the prefix 1800, while shared cost or Lo-Call numbers use the prefix 1850. Internet access numbers use the prefix 1891, 1892 and 1893.
Country Code: 33
In 1996, France changed to a a ten-digit numbering scheme, as follows:
See French telephone numbering plan
Country Code: 49
Following German reunification in 1990, the former East Germany's code +37 was relinquished and returned to the ITU for reallocation. Similarly, the digit '3' was inserted into area codes in the former East Germany, while the area code 030 for West Berlin was used for the reunified city.
There are no standard lengths for either area codes or subscribers' numbers in Germany, meaning that some subscribers' numbers may be as short as three digits. The default length for newly assigned numbers (area code without 0 + subscriber number) is 10 or 11 digits, but older shorter numbers will not be replaced.
Non-geographic numbers, including mobile phone services, are prefixed with '01' (+49 1 internationally). 0130 was originally used for toll-free numbers, but this has been changed to 0800. The prefix 0180 is used for shared cost services while 0700 is for personal numbers. Premium rate numbers use the prefix 0900 (the older prefix 0190 is being phased out); these are not accessible from outside Germany.
The international access code and the emergency services number are the European standard 00 and 112, respectively.
Country Code: 31
In the Netherlands, the area codes are -- excluding the leading '0' -- one, two or three digits long, with larger towns and cities having shorter area codes permitting a larger number of telephone numbers in the ten digits used. Since renumbering in 1996, subscribers' numbers are now either six digits long, or in the larger towns and cities, seven digits.
Previously, 06 was used for toll-free and premium rate numbers, while 09 was used as the international access code, before this changed to 00.
Country Code: 46
In Sweden, the area codes are -- excluding the leading '0' -- one, two or three digits long, with larger towns and cities having shorter area codes permitting a larger number of telephone numbers in the eight to ten digits used. Before the 1990s, ten-digit numbers were very rare, but they have become increasingly common because of the deregulation of telecommunications, the new 112 emergency number, which required change of all numbers starting with 11, and the creation of a single area code for the Greater Stockholm area. No subscriber number is shorter than five digits.
Sweden adopted 00 as its international access code in 1999, replacing 009 and 007.
According to the postal and telecommunication services supervising authority Post- och Telestyrelsen, it seems possible that Sweden will adopt a closed numbering plan in the future.
Country Code: 358
Finland's numbering plan was reorganised in 1996, with the number of area codes being reduced, and the trunk code being changed from 9 to 0. This meant that the area code for Helsinki also changed:
The default international access code became 00, although other codes such as 999 are also still used.
Country Code: 351
Portugal changed to a closed numbering plan in 1999. Previously, the trunk prefix was '0', but this was dropped, and the area code, prefixed by the digit '2' was incorporated into the subscriber's number, so that a nine-digit number was used for all calls, eg:
Mobiles similarly changed, with the digits '96' replacing the prefix '0936':
Other new number ranges include:
Country Code: 34
Spain changed to a closed numbering plan in 1998. Previously, the trunk prefix was '9', but this was incorporated into the subscriber's number, so that a nine-digit number was used for all calls, eg:
Mobiles similarly changed, prefixed with the digit '6':
New numbering ranges have also since been introduced:
Spain's international access code also changed from 07 to 00, but this did not affect dialing arangements for calls to Gibraltar, in which the provincial code 9567 is used instead of the international code 350, eg:
Country Code: 39
Italy changed to a closed numbering plan in 1998, with callers being told in to fissa il prefisso ("fix the prefix"). Unlike in other closed numbering plans the trunk code '0' was simply incorporated into subscribers' landline numbers; e.g. a number in Rome:
Calls to mobile phone numbers whithin Italy were also affected, deleting the previously used prefix '0' (as it was already happening for oversea callers); e.g. for Omnitel-Vodafone provider in Italy:
Until 1996, San Marino was part of the Italian numbering plan, using the Italian area code 0549 but in that year it adopted its own international code 378. However,instead of using international dialing codes, dialling arrangements between San Marino and Italy continued as before. In 1998, San Marino incorporated the 0549 area code into its subscribers' numbers, following the Italian format:
Country Code: 41
In 2002, Switzerland adopted a closed numbering plan, but retained the use of the trunk code 0. The original plan was to dispense with the trunk code completely, so that all calls within Switzerland would only require a nine-digit number. However, this was modified on grounds of cost. The 01 prefix for numbers in Zurich is being phased out in favor of 044, with 043 being used for overlay numbers.
Until 1999, Liechtenstein formed part of the Swiss numbering plan, using the area code 075, but in that year it adopted its own international code 423, meaning that calls to and from Switzerland require international dialing.
The 07 number range is now used for mobile phone services.
Country Code: 30
During 2001-2002, Greece moved to a closed ten-digit numbering scheme in two stages, withe the result that subscribers' numbers changed twice. For example, before the change, a number in Athens would have been dialed as follows:
In 2001, a '0' was added after the area code, which was incorporated into the subscriber's number:
Finally, in 2002, the leading '0' was changed to a '2' (for geographic numbers) :
Mobile phone numbers were similarly prefixed with the digit '6'.
Country Code: 61
Telephone numbers in Australia consist of a single digit area code and eight-digit local numbers, the first four of which generally specify the exchange, and the final four a line at that exchange. (Most exchanges though have several four-digit exchange codes.)
Australia is divided geographically into a few large area codes, some of which covering more than one state and territory. Prior to the introduction of eight-digit numbers in the early to mid-1990s, telephone numbers were seven digits in the major capital cities, with a single digit area code, and six digits in other areas with a two digit area code.
Following reorganisation of the numbering plan between 1996 and 1998, the following numbering ranges are now used:
The main international prefix is 0011. 000 is the emergency telephone number in Australia, but the internationally accepted GSM mobile emergency telephone number 112 also works on mobile phones.
Telephone numbers within Australia are allocated by the Australian Communications Authority.
See Australian telephone numbering plan
Country Code: 64
Since 1993, land-line telephone numbers in New Zealand consist of a single-digit area code and seven-digit local numbers, the first three of which generally specify the exchange and the final four a line at that exchange. The long distance prefix is '0'.
There are five regional area codes, which must be used when calling outside the local dialing area, for example from Christchurch to Dunedin in the South Island, the '03' prefix must be dialed first. In many parts of the country, the old area code was incorporated into the new number, hence Nelson (055) xx xxx became (03) 55x xxxx .
Mobile phone numbers are prefixed with 02, followed by one digit and the subscriber's number, which is either six or seven digits, dialled in full, e.g. 025 xxx xxx or 027 xxx xxxx. Free call services generally use the prefix 0800 (although some use 0508) while local rate (usually internet access numbers) have the prefix 08xx. Premium rate services use the code 0900 followed by five digits.
The main international prefix is '00' (there are others for special purposes, such as 0161, for discounted rates). The emergency services number is '111'.
Country Code: 55
In Brazil, long distance and international dialling now requires the use of carrier selection codes, after the trunk code or international access code.
For example, to call Rio de Janeiro from another city in Brazil, one would dial the trunk code '0', a two-digit code, the area code '021' and the subscriber's number. Consequently, a Rio de Janeiro number would be displayed in Brazil as
(Cellular phone numbers are usually prefixed with the digit '9'.)
This does not affect inbound international dialling, as outside Brazil one would only dial Brazil's country calling code, Rio de Janeiro area code and subscriber's number: +55 21 xxxx xxxx.
To call internationally from Brazil, one would dial the international access code and the two-digit code, followed by the country calling code, area code and number, hence for a number in Manhattan:
Country Code: 51
In Argentina, changes were made to area codes in 1999, when the telephone network was split up into three different areas, with a new digit representing the new telephone company.
Similarly, the digit '4' was added to subscribers' numbers. For example, before the change, a number in Buenos Aires would have been dialed as follows:
After the 1999 change, it would instead be dialed as:
Since 2003, the digit '9' had to be dialled when calling mobile phone number in Argentinas:
Until 1998, calls from Argentina to Uruguay were made using domestic dialing codes. For example, to call a number in Montevideo from Argentina before 1998:
After 1998, this changed to:
Although Argentina claims the Falkland Islands, which it calls Las Islas Malvinas as part of its national territory, calls are made using the Islands' country calling code, e.g:
Country Code: 52
In 1999 Mexico introduced the following new prefixes long distance calls for long distance and international calls:
This did not affect calls from outside Mexico, which continued to be dialed in the same format, for example, to call a number in Mexico City:
Country Code: 57
Colombia has various dialing plans, depending on the type of service. The dialing system for conventional landline numbers by origin of call is the following:
The letter "a" represents the 3 national long-distance carriers.
The letter "b" represents the dialing zones in which the country is divided. No department lies under 2 dialing zones, to make zoning more straightforward. Number 3 was formerly used in current zone 2, but was later reclaimed for mobile services.
For international dialling, subscribers must dial 00, then a digit assigned to one of the above mentioned long distance carriers. To place a call in St. Louis, Missouri in the US, a subscriber would dial:
Mobile services
The dialing system for mobile phones by origin of call is the following
The number "mmm" represent the access code for each mobile phone operator in the country:
To dial a landline phone from a mobile phone, the following procedure is used:
To dial a foreign phone number from a mobile phone in Colombia, the same procedure intended for landline phones is used. Calls will be billed to the mobile phone user, but the carrier's name will appear in a special line in the statement.
Toll-free services
To dial toll-free services, the following dialing system is used:
Before 2002, the format used to be 9800 xxxxxx. When the current format was implemented in early 2002, existing toll-free numbers were given the format 01 800 0xx xxxx. But in advertising the numbers were regrouped 01 8000 xxxxxx, so many people erroneously think the general format for toll free is " 01 8000".
Other special services
Fee-based services.
Per-minute-billed dial-up Internet services.
Country Code: 81
In general, land line (primarily NTT) numbers are 10 digits long, with area codes in inverse proportion to city size.
Area codes increase from north to south; Sapporo in Hokkaido (the northernmost prefecture) has 011, and Setouchi-cho's 09973 is far to the south in Kagoshima. When the telephone system was devised, Okinawa was still under US occupation, so when it was returned to Japan in 1972, its telephone numbers were squeezed between Miyazaki (098x) and Kagoshima (099x), and begin with 0988, 0989, and 0980.
Other numbers are 11 digits long, such as mobile numbers, which have either the 090 or 080 prefixes followed by eight digits. Similarly, PHS phones have 070; dedicated internet lines have 050 (with the last four digits often matching the subscriber's land-based number), and personal pagers 020.
Especially during the 1990s, as plans were being drawn up to amalgamate mid-sized cities and towns into larger municipalities, telephone numbering systems were merged in advance. For example,
became:
Many of these towns have in fact refused to merge, leaving callers with more digits to dial when making local calls. This is partially balanced by not having to dial an area code for the neighboring city.
Special emergency numbers in Japan include 110 for the police and 119 for the fire department.
Toll-free calls have the prefixes 0120 and 0800, and special-charge nationwide numbers begin with 0570 and 0990.
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