Phone Numbers in Cameroon
Quick Reference
- Country: Cameroon
- Country Code: +237
- International Prefix: 00
- National Prefix: None
Overview
Discover the comprehensive structure of Cameroon's telephone numbering plan, including dialing procedures and regulatory insights. This guide is essential for telecom professionals, developers, and businesses seeking accurate information on Cameroonian phone numbers.
Numbering Plan Structure
Cameroon's numbering plan adheres to the ITU-T E.164 standard, supporting up to 15 digits in an international phone number, inclusive of the country code.
General Number Structure
- Country Code: +237
- Subscriber Number: 8 digits
Number Breakdown
Type | Format | Example |
---|---|---|
Landline | 2X XX XX XX | 22233866 |
Mobile | 6X XX XX XX | 672123456 |
Toll-Free | 88X XX XX XX | 88012345 |
Premium Rate | 90X XX XX XX | 90123456 |
Regular Expressions for Number Validation
Validate Cameroonian phone numbers with these regular expressions:
- Landline:
^2\d{7}$
- Mobile:
^6\d{7}$
- Toll-Free:
^88\d{6}$
- Premium Rate:
^90\d{6}$
Dialing Procedures
Domestic Calls
- Landline to Landline: Dial the 8-digit number directly.
- Landline to Mobile: Dial the 8-digit mobile number directly.
- Mobile to Mobile: Dial the 8-digit mobile number directly.
International Calls
- Outgoing: Dial
00
, followed by the country code and subscriber number. E.g., to call the US:00 1 XXX XXX XXXX
. - Incoming: Dial
+237
followed by the 8-digit number.
Recent and Upcoming Changes
Currently, there are no significant changes to Cameroon's numbering plan. Stay updated by visiting the Telecommunications Regulatory Board (TRB) for future updates.
Number Portability
Cameroon supports Mobile Number Portability (MNP), allowing users to switch operators without changing numbers. This service is regulated by the TRB and is available across all major networks.
Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges
Operator | Number Range |
---|---|
MTN Cameroon | 67X, 68X, 69X |
Orange Cameroon | 65X, 66X |
Nexttel | 66X, 69X |
Camtel | 22X, 23X |
ITU-T Recommendations
Cameroon's numbering plan complies with ITU-T E.164, ensuring global interoperability in telecommunication numbering.
Number Allocation and Management
The Telecommunications Regulatory Board (TRB) oversees number allocation, ensuring efficient and fair distribution among operators.
Technical Restrictions and Special Cases
- Golden Numbers: Reserved for premium services, managed by operators.
- Number Blocking: Specific ranges may be blocked for certain services, managed at the network level.
Technical Considerations
For developers and system administrators:
- Normalization: Store numbers in E.164 format (
+237XXXXXXXX
) for global compatibility. - Validation: Use the provided regex for number validation.
- Portability: Consider MNP when designing systems reliant on number-based routing.
For the latest telecom regulations in Cameroon, visit the Telecommunications Regulatory Board (TRB).