Comprehensive Guide to Phone Numbers in Afghanistan
Quick Reference
- Country: Afghanistan
- Country Code: +93
- International Prefix: 00
- National Prefix: 0
Overview
Gain a detailed understanding of Afghanistan’s telephone numbering plan, including formats, dialing procedures, and regulatory considerations. This guide is essential for telecom professionals, developers, and anyone needing precise information on Afghanistan's telecommunication system.
Numbering Plan Structure
Afghanistan's telephone numbering plan is structured and regulated by the national authority. It includes a country code, area code, and subscriber number.
Structure Overview
- Country Code: +93
- Area Codes: 2 digits, specific to regions or operators
- Subscriber Number: 6 digits for landlines, 7 digits for mobile numbers
- National Prefix: 0 (for domestic dialing)
- International Prefix: 00 (for international dialing)
Number Format Breakdown
Type | Format | Example | Regex Pattern |
---|---|---|---|
Landline | 0AA XXXXXX | 020 123456 | ^0[2-6][0-9] \d{6}$ |
Mobile | 07X XXXXXXX | 070 1234567 | ^07[0-9] \d{7}$ |
International | +93 AA XXXXXX | +93 20 123456 | ^\+93 [2-6][0-9] \d{6}$ |
Special Services | 1XX | 119 (Emergency) | ^1\d{2}$ |
- AA: Area code (e.g., 20 for Kabul)
- X: Subscriber number digits
Mobile and Landline Number Formats
- Mobile Numbers: Begin with
07
followed by 7 digits, specific to operators. - Landline Numbers: Use a 2-digit area code followed by a 6-digit subscriber number, indicating geographic regions.
Dialing Procedures
Domestic Calls
- Landline to Landline: Dial
0
+ Area Code + Subscriber Number (e.g., 020 123456) - Landline to Mobile: Dial
0
+ Mobile Number (e.g., 070 1234567) - Mobile to Mobile: Dial Mobile Number directly (e.g., 070 1234567)
International Calls
- Outgoing: Dial
00
+ Country Code + Area Code + Subscriber Number (e.g., 00 44 20 123456) - Incoming: Dial
+93
+ Area Code + Subscriber Number (e.g., +93 20 123456)
Number Portability
Currently, Afghanistan does not support mobile number portability (MNP). Subscribers cannot retain their phone numbers when switching between operators.
Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges
Operator | Prefix | Number Range |
---|---|---|
Areeba | 077 | 077 XXXXXXX |
Etisalat | 078 | 078 XXXXXXX |
Roshan | 079 | 079 XXXXXXX |
AWCC | 070 | 070 XXXXXXX |
Recent Changes to the Numbering Plan
No significant changes have occurred in Afghanistan's numbering plan over the past five years. The current system was standardized in 2002 and remains consistent.
Regulatory Authority
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) oversees telecommunications in Afghanistan, ensuring compliance with regulations and standards.
Technical Considerations
Number Validation
For developers, validating Afghan phone numbers can be achieved using these regular expressions:
- Landline:
^0[2-6][0-9] \d{6}$
- Mobile:
^07[0-9] \d{7}$
- International:
^\+93 [2-6][0-9] \d{6}$
Special Numbers
Afghanistan uses short codes for emergency services, typically in the format 1XX
(e.g., 119 for emergencies).
Number Allocation and Management
The MCIT manages number allocation, ensuring compliance with ITU-T recommendations.
ITU-T Recommendations
Afghanistan’s numbering plan adheres to ITU-T E.164 standards, ensuring global interoperability of telecommunication networks.
Conclusion
Understanding Afghanistan's phone number structure and dialing rules is crucial for effective communication and system integration. For official updates and guidelines, refer to the MCIT official website or ITU-T documentation.
For the most up-to-date information on telecommunications regulations in Afghanistan, please consult the official website of the MCIT.