Comprehensive Guide to Phone Numbers in Guernsey
Quick Reference
- Country: Guernsey
- Country Code: +44
- International Prefix: 00
- National Prefix: 0
- Regulatory Authority: Office of the Telecommunications Adjudicator (OTA)
Overview
This guide offers an in-depth exploration of Guernsey's phone numbering system, detailing the structure, dialing procedures, and telecom regulations. It is an essential resource for telecom professionals, developers, and anyone needing comprehensive knowledge of Guernsey's telecom landscape.
Number Formats
Guernsey adheres to the UK's numbering plan with some unique distinctions. Below is a detailed breakdown of the number formats used in Guernsey:
General Number Structure
- Country Code: +44
- Area Code: 1481 (specific to Guernsey)
- Subscriber Number Length: 6 digits
Number Structure Breakdown
Type | Format | Example Number | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Geographic | +44 1481 XXXXXX | +44 1481 257895 | Fixed-line numbers, typically used for landlines within Guernsey. |
Mobile | +44 7XXX XXXXXX | +44 7781 123456 | Mobile numbers, usually starting with 77, 78, or 79. |
Toll-Free | +44 800 XXXXXX | +44 800 123456 | Toll-free numbers, free for the caller within the UK and Guernsey. |
Premium Rate | +44 9XX XXXXXX | +44 900 123456 | Premium rate services, often used for special services or information lines. |
Regular Expressions for Number Validation
- Geographic Numbers:
^\(\+44\s?1481\s?\d{6}\)$
- Mobile Numbers:
^\(\+44\s?7[7-9]\d{2}\s?\d{6}\)$
- Toll-Free Numbers:
^\(\+44\s?800\s?\d{6}\)$
- Premium Rate Numbers:
^\(\+44\s?9\d{2}\s?\d{6}\)$
Dialing Procedures
Domestic Calls
- Landline to Landline: Dial the full local number (e.g.,
01481 257895
). - Landline to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly (e.g.,
07781 123456
). - Mobile to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly (e.g.,
07781 123456
).
International Calls
- Outgoing: Dial
00
, followed by the country code, area code (if applicable), and the subscriber number. For example, to call the USA:00 1 212 5551234
. - Incoming: International callers should dial
+44 1481
followed by the 6-digit subscriber number for landlines, or+44 7XXX
followed by the 6-digit subscriber number for mobiles.
Number Portability
Guernsey supports number portability, allowing subscribers to retain their numbers when switching between service providers. This is managed by the Office of the Telecommunications Adjudicator (OTA).
Telecom Operators and Number Ranges
Operator | Number Range | Service Type |
---|---|---|
Sure | 01481 2XXXXX | Landline |
JT Group | 01481 7XXXXX | Landline |
Sure Mobile | 07781 XXXXXX | Mobile |
JT Mobile | 07911 XXXXXX | Mobile |
ITU-T Recommendations
Guernsey adheres to the ITU-T Recommendation E.164 for its numbering plan, ensuring global interoperability of its telephone numbers.
Number Allocation and Management
The numbering plan in Guernsey is managed by the Office of the Telecommunications Adjudicator (OTA). The OTA is responsible for the allocation, management, and regulation of telephone numbers within the jurisdiction.
Technical Restrictions and Special Cases
Golden Numbers
Guernsey does not have a formal policy on "golden numbers," which are numbers considered more desirable due to their memorable or aesthetically pleasing sequences. However, such numbers are sometimes reserved or auctioned by telecom operators.
Number Blocking
Guernsey's telecom operators may implement number blocking for specific services, such as premium-rate numbers, to protect consumers from fraud or excessive charges.
Technical Considerations for Developers
When handling Guernsey phone numbers in software systems:
- Validation: Use the provided regular expressions to validate phone numbers accurately.
- Formatting: Ensure numbers are stored in E.164 format (
+44 1481 XXXXXX
) to maintain consistency. - Portability: Account for number portability by not hardcoding operator-specific number ranges.
- Internationalization: Implement logic to handle both local and international dialing formats.
For the most up-to-date information on telecommunications regulations in Guernsey, please consult the official website of the Office of the Telecommunications Adjudicator (OTA).