Gabon Phone Number Guide

Quick Reference

• Country: Gabon
• Country Code: +241
• International Prefix: 00
• National Prefix: None (Direct dialing within Gabon)

Overview

Discover the intricacies of Gabon's telephone numbering system, including number formats, dialing procedures, and regulatory insights. This guide is essential for telecom professionals, developers, and businesses navigating Gabon's telecom landscape.

Number Formats

General Number Structure

Gabonese phone numbers are composed of 8 digits. The initial digit signifies the service type (e.g., mobile, landline), followed by the subscriber number.

Structure:

• Country Code: +241
• Service Type Indicator: 1 digit (varies by service type)
• Subscriber Number: 7 digits

Geographic Numbers (Landlines)

Format: 01X-XXXXXX

• Prefix: 01 (Indicates a landline number)
• Subscriber Number: 6 digits

Examples:

• 01456789
• 01345678

Mobile Numbers

Format: 0[2-7]X-XXXXXX

• Prefixes: 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07 (Indicates mobile services)
• Subscriber Number: 6 digits

Examples:

• 02456789
• 07456789

Special Services and Toll-Free Numbers

Gabon does not have a widely used system for toll-free or premium-rate numbers. Special service numbers, such as emergency services, are typically short codes.

Number Format Table

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

• Landline to Landline: Dial the 8-digit number directly (e.g., 01456789).
• Landline to Mobile: Dial the 8-digit mobile number directly (e.g., 07456789).
• Mobile to Mobile: Dial the 8-digit mobile number directly (e.g., 07456789).

International Calls

• Outgoing: Dial 00 (international prefix), followed by the country code, and then the national number (e.g., 00 33 1 23456789 for France).
• Incoming: Dial +241, followed by the 8-digit local number without the leading 0 (e.g., +241 1456789).

Number Portability

Currently, Gabon does not support mobile number portability. Subscribers cannot retain their phone numbers when switching between operators.

Telecom Operators in Gabon

Major Operators and Number Ranges

Regulatory Authority and Number Management

The Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et des Postes (ARCEP) oversees Gabon's telephone numbering plan. For the latest information, visit the ARCEP Gabon official website.

Technical Restrictions and Special Cases

Golden Numbers

Gabon does not have a formalized system for "golden numbers" (highly desirable numbers that are often auctioned).

Number Blocking

Number blocking is managed by individual telecom operators and is not a technical restriction imposed by the national numbering plan.

Technical Considerations for Developers

Regular Expressions for Number Validation

To validate Gabonese phone numbers, use the following regular expression:

/^0([1-7])\d{6}$/

• Explanation:
  • ^0: Ensures the number starts with 0.
  • ([1-7]): Matches the service type indicator.
  • \d{6}$: Matches the 6-digit subscriber number.

Handling International Formats

When processing international numbers, ensure that the +241 country code is correctly handled and that the leading 0 of the local number is removed.

ITU-T Recommendations

Gabon adheres to the ITU-T E.164 recommendation for international numbering, ensuring compatibility with global telecommunications networks.

For the most up-to-date information on telecommunications regulations in Gabon, please consult the official website of the national telecommunications authority, ARCEP.