Phone Numbers in Bhutan: A Comprehensive Guide

Quick Reference

• Country: Bhutan
• Country Code: +975
• International Prefix: 00
• National Prefix: None
• Regulatory Body: Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA)

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Overview

This guide offers an in-depth look at Bhutan's telephone numbering system, including number formats, dialing procedures, and regulatory insights. It's an essential resource for telecom professionals, developers, and system administrators managing Bhutanese phone numbers.

Number Formats

General Number Structure

Bhutanese phone numbers consist of:

• Country Code: +975
• Area Code: Varies by region or service type
• Subscriber Number: Length varies by service type

Detailed Number Formats

Type	Format	Example	Description
Geographic	2[3-6]XXXXXX	2334567	Landline numbers in urban areas, with 7 digits after the area code.
Mobile	17[1-8]XXXXXX, 77XXXXXX	171234567, 77123456	Mobile numbers typically start with 17 or 77, followed by 6 additional digits.
Special Services	1[1-9]XXXX	119, 110	Short codes for special services like emergency numbers.

Regular Expressions for Number Validation

For developers, use these regex patterns to validate Bhutanese numbers:

• Geographic Numbers:
  ^2[3-6]\d{6}$
  

• Mobile Numbers:
  ^17[1-8]\d{6}$|^77\d{6}$
  

• Special Service Numbers:
  ^1[1-9]\d{3}$
  

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

• Landline to Landline: Dial the 7-digit subscriber number directly (e.g., 2334567).
• Landline to Mobile: Dial the full mobile number, including the prefix (e.g., 171234567).
• Mobile to Mobile: Dial the full mobile number, including the prefix (e.g., 77123456).

International Calls

• Outgoing: Dial 00 followed by the country code, area code (if applicable), and subscriber number (e.g., 00 1 234 5678901 for a call to the USA).
• Incoming: International callers should dial +975 followed by the full Bhutanese number (e.g., +975 2334567 for a landline).

Recent and Upcoming Changes to the Numbering Plan

Currently, there are no significant changes to Bhutan's numbering plan. For the latest updates, refer to the Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA).

Number Portability

• Current Status: Bhutan does not support mobile number portability. Subscribers changing providers must obtain a new number.

Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

Operator	Number Ranges	Service Type
Bhutan Telecom	17[1-8]XXXXXX, 77XXXXXX	Mobile
TashiCell	77XXXXXX	Mobile
Bhutan Telecom	2[3-6]XXXXXX	Landline

ITU-T Recommendations and Standards

Bhutan follows the ITU-T E.164 standard for international numbering, ensuring global consistency. The country code is +975, with a maximum number length of 12 digits.

Number Allocation and Management

• Regulatory Body: The Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA) oversees phone number allocation and management, ensuring compliance with telecom standards.

Technical Restrictions and Special Cases

• Golden Numbers: While not officially designated, certain premium numbers may be reserved for special services or VIPs.
• Number Blocking: Operators manage number blocks to prevent premature reassignment of unused numbers.

Technical Considerations for Developers

Handling Number Validation

When dealing with Bhutanese numbers, consider:

• Internationalization: Support both local (7 digits) and international (+975 XXXXXX) formats.
• Regular Expressions: Use the provided regex patterns for accurate validation.
• Error Handling: Implement robust error handling for incorrect or incomplete numbers.

API Integration

For phone number validation or manipulation services, integrate with international telecom APIs that support Bhutanese formats. Ensure compliance with ITU-T standards and local regulations.