Understanding Phone Numbers in Egypt
Quick Reference Guide
- Country: Egypt
- Country Code: +20
- International Prefix: 00
- National Prefix: 0
- Regulatory Body: National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA)
Overview
Gain insights into Egypt's telephone numbering plan, including the structure of phone numbers, dialing procedures, and regulatory details. This guide is essential for telecom professionals, developers, and businesses engaging with Egypt's telecommunications infrastructure.
Number Formats and Structure
General Structure
Egyptian phone numbers consist of:
- Country Code: +20
- Area Code: Specific to regions (e.g., Cairo: 2, Alexandria: 3)
- Subscriber Number: Length varies by service type (landline, mobile, etc.)
Detailed Number Formats
Type of Number | Format | Example | Regex Pattern |
---|---|---|---|
Landline (Cairo) | +20 2 XXX XXXX | +20 2 2345 6789 | ^\+20\s2\s\d{4}\s\d{4}$ |
Landline (Other) | +20 [AreaCode] XXX XXXX | +20 3 234 5678 | ^\+20\s[3-9]\s\d{3}\s\d{4}$ |
Mobile | +20 1X XXXX XXXX | +20 10 1234 5678 | ^\+20\s1[0-5]\s\d{4}\s\d{4}$ |
Toll-Free | +20 800 XXX XXXX | +20 800 123 4567 | ^\+20\s800\s\d{3}\s\d{4}$ |
Premium Rate | +20 900 XXX XXXX | +20 900 123 4567 | ^\+20\s900\s\d{3}\s\d{4}$ |
Emergency | XXX | 122 (Police) | ^\d{3}$ |
Area Codes
Area codes in Egypt identify specific regions:
Region | Area Code | Example (International Format) | Example (National Format) |
---|---|---|---|
Cairo | 2 | +20 2 XXX XXXX | 02 XXX XXXX |
Alexandria | 3 | +20 3 XXX XXXX | 03 XXX XXXX |
Arish | 68 | +20 68 XXX XXXX | 068 XXX XXXX |
Asyut | 88 | +20 88 XXX XXXX | 088 XXX XXXX |
Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges
Operator | Mobile Number Range | Example (International Format) | Example (National Format) |
---|---|---|---|
Vodafone | 10xxxxxxxx | +20 10 XXX XXXX | 010 XXXX XXXX |
Etisalat | 11xxxxxxxx | +20 11 XXX XXXX | 011 XXXX XXXX |
Orange | 12xxxxxxxx | +20 12 XXX XXXX | 012 XXXX XXXX |
We | 15xxxxxxxx | +20 15 XXX XXXX | 015 XXXX XXXX |
Dialing Procedures
Domestic Calls
- Landline to Landline: Dial the area code followed by the subscriber number. Example:
02-XXXX-XXXX
for a call within Cairo. - Landline to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly, preceded by the national prefix
0
. Example:010-XXXX-XXXX
. - Mobile to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly with the national prefix
0
. Example:011-XXXX-XXXX
.
International Calls
- Outgoing: Dial the international prefix
00
, followed by the country code, area code, and subscriber number. Example:00-1-212-555-1234
for a call to the USA. - Incoming: From abroad, dial
+20
, followed by the area code and subscriber number, omitting the leading0
. Example:+20-2-XXXX-XXXX
for a call to Cairo.
Number Portability
Mobile number portability is available in Egypt, allowing users to retain their numbers when switching operators. This process is overseen by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA).
Recent and Upcoming Changes
There have been no significant changes to the Egyptian numbering plan in the past five years. Historical changes include adjustments to Telecom Egypt's subscriber numbers.
Number Allocation and Management
The NTRA manages the allocation of telephone numbers in Egypt, ensuring compliance with ITU-T recommendations and overseeing number portability.
Technical Restrictions and Special Cases
- Golden Numbers: Vanity or memorable numbers may be available at a premium.
- Number Blocking: Certain numbers may be blocked due to regulatory or security reasons.
Technical Considerations
Regular Expressions for Validation
Here are some regex patterns for validating Egyptian phone numbers:
// Landline (Cairo)
^\+20\s2\s\d{4}\s\d{4}$
// Mobile
^\+20\s1[0-5]\s\d{4}\s\d{4}$
// Toll-Free
^\+20\s800\s\d{3}\s\d{4}$
// Premium Rate
^\+20\s900\s\d{3}\s\d{4}$
// Emergency
^\d{3}$
ITU-T Standards Compliance
Egypt's numbering system complies with ITU-T E.164 standards, defining the international public telecommunication numbering plan.
For the latest telecommunications regulations in Egypt, visit the NTRA official website.
Conclusion
Understanding Egypt's phone number formats, dialing rules, and regulatory landscape is crucial for telecommunications and international business. This guide equips you with the necessary technical details to navigate Egypt's telecommunication infrastructure effectively.