Greenland Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide

Learn everything about Greenland's phone number system, including the +299 country code, 6-digit numbering format, dialing procedures, and validation techniques. This comprehensive guide covers Greenland phone number structure, Tusass network infrastructure, and critical implementation considerations for developers building telecommunication applications in this Arctic region.

Greenland Telecommunications: Country Code +299 Overview

Tusass (formerly TELE Greenland) operates Greenland's telecommunications system with a remarkably simple, unified structure. Unlike many countries with complex area codes, Greenland uses a streamlined 6-digit numbering plan for all domestic calls, regardless of location. This simplicity benefits residents, visitors, and developers building applications that work with Greenland phone numbers.

The system faces unique challenges from Greenland's vast territory, extreme Arctic conditions, and dispersed population. As the sole telecommunications provider, Tusass manages a sophisticated network balancing these challenges with reliable connectivity.

How to Dial Greenland Phone Numbers Domestically

Greenland's domestic calling structure is simple. Dial any number within the country using just 6 digits – no area codes or regional prefixes required.

Call Types and Numbering

Domestic call types and numbering patterns:

• Landline to Landline: Dial the 6-digit number directly. Landline numbers begin with 1, 2, or 3. Example: 12 3456.
• Landline to Mobile: Dial the 6-digit mobile number. Mobile numbers start with 4 or 5. Example: 45 6789.
• Mobile to Mobile: Dial the complete 6-digit number. Example: 50 1234.

Special Service Numbers

Special service prefixes:

• Toll-Free Services (80): Numbers starting with 80 provide toll-free services like customer support and emergency information. Example: 80 1234.
• Premium Rate Services (90): Numbers beginning with 90 provide premium-rate services for paid content or specialized assistance. Example: 90 1234.

Emergency Services: Dial 112 for police, fire, and medical emergencies. Dial 113 for maritime emergencies and search and rescue services.

Important: Always dial all 6 digits for domestic calls, even within the same locality, to ensure consistent connectivity.

How to Call Greenland from Abroad (International Dialing)

International calls to and from Greenland follow established international telecommunication standards.

Calling from Greenland

To make international calls from Greenland:

1. International Prefix: Dial 00 to access international lines.
2. Country Code: Enter the destination country's code (e.g., 1 for the USA/Canada).
3. Area/City Code (if applicable): Include any required area or city code for the specific region you're calling.
4. Local Number: Enter the local subscriber number.

Example: Calling New York City (USA)

00 1 212 555 0123
│  │ │   └────────── Local number
│  │ └────────────── NYC area code
│  └──────────────── USA country code
└─────────────────── International prefix

Calling Greenland from Another Country

To call a Greenland phone number internationally, follow this format:

1. International Prefix: Use the + symbol (plus sign) as the international prefix.
2. Country Code: Add Greenland's country code, 299.
3. Local Number: Enter the 6-digit local Greenland number.

Example:

+299 12 3456
│    └────── Local 6-digit number
└─────────── Greenland country code

Tusass Network Coverage and Mobile Infrastructure

Tusass maintains robust telecommunications infrastructure across Greenland's challenging terrain. Consider varying coverage levels when designing applications for Greenland users.

• Urban Areas: Major towns and settlements have comprehensive coverage, including 4G/LTE services. Expect the most consistent connectivity for data-intensive applications here.
• Coastal Settlements: Populated coastal regions have strong connectivity, though speeds may vary compared to urban centers.
• Remote Regions: Coverage in remote areas, particularly the interior ice sheet, varies significantly. Satellite communication often provides necessary backup. Consider providing offline functionality or alternative communication methods for users in these areas.

Important: Advise users traveling to remote areas to consider satellite communication as backup.

Greenland Phone Number Standards (E.164 Format)

Greenland adheres to international telecommunications standards, ensuring global interoperability.

ITU-T E.164 Adherence

Greenland's numbering system complies with the ITU-T E.164 recommendation. This standard defines the international public telecommunication numbering plan, ensuring consistent number formatting and global compatibility. This adherence guarantees your applications can seamlessly interact with phone numbers worldwide.

This compliance ensures:

• Standardized Formatting: Consistent number structure for international calls.
• International Compatibility: Seamless connectivity with global telecommunications networks.
• Length Compliance: Adherence to the maximum 15-digit limit (including the country code).
• Routing Efficiency: Optimized call routing paths for efficient communication.

Number Portability

Number portability is not implemented in Greenland due to its single-operator market structure. This simplifies number management but limits user choice in carriers.

Phone Number Validation for Greenland (+299): Developer Guide

Essential implementation guidelines for validating and integrating Greenland phone numbers into your applications:

Greenland Phone Number Validation Methods

Validate Greenland phone numbers (+299) to ensure data integrity and prevent errors. Use regular expressions for basic format validation, or integrate a dedicated phone number validation API for comprehensive verification including number existence and carrier detection.

Example JavaScript Validation:

// Validate Greenland mobile numbers (4x xxxx or 5x xxxx)
const validateGreenlandMobile = (number) => {
  return /^\(\+299\)[4-5]\d{5}$/.test(number);
};

// Validate Greenland landline numbers (1x xxxx, 2x xxxx, or 3x xxxx)
const validateGreenlandLandline = (number) => {
  return /^\(\+299\)[1-3]\d{5}$/.test(number);
};

// Validate toll-free numbers (80 xxxx)
const validateGreenlandTollFree = (number) => {
  return /^\(\+299\)80\d{4}$/.test(number);
};

// Validate premium rate numbers (90 xxxx)
const validateGreenlandPremium = (number) => {
  return /^\(\+299\)90\d{4}$/.test(number);
};

// General Greenland number validator
const validateGreenlandNumber = (number) => {
  return /^\(\+299\)\d{6}$/.test(number);
};

Example Python Validation:

import re

def validate_greenland_mobile(number):
    """Validate Greenland mobile numbers (4x xxxx or 5x xxxx)"""
    pattern = r'^\(\+299\)[4-5]\d{5}$'
    return bool(re.match(pattern, number))

def validate_greenland_landline(number):
    """Validate Greenland landline numbers (1x xxxx, 2x xxxx, or 3x xxxx)"""
    pattern = r'^\(\+299\)[1-3]\d{5}$'
    return bool(re.match(pattern, number))

def validate_greenland_number(number):
    """General Greenland number validator"""
    pattern = r'^\(\+299\)\d{6}$'
    return bool(re.match(pattern, number))

Important: These basic examples only check format. Use a comprehensive validation API to verify number existence and type.

Number Formatting

• Always include the country code (+299) for international compatibility.
• Maintain consistent spacing for readability. Example: "+299 12 34 56".
• Follow local number structure guidelines (6 digits).
• Handle user input variations by removing spaces, parentheses, and hyphens before validation.

Carrier Integration

• Consult Tusass's technical specifications and API documentation for detailed integration guidelines at tusass.gl.
• Ensure compliance with local regulations and Tusass's specific requirements.
• SMS and MMS capabilities are available through Tusass's network with standard international protocols.
• Contact Tusass directly for developer API access and documentation.

Emergency Services

• Implement priority routing for emergency numbers: 112 (general emergencies) and 113 (maritime emergencies).
• Develop fail-safe mechanisms to ensure emergency calls always connect.
• Guarantee 24/7 availability for emergency call handling.
• Test emergency call functionality thoroughly but avoid placing actual emergency calls during testing.

Conclusion

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Greenland's phone number system, infrastructure, and key developer considerations. Use this knowledge to integrate effectively with Greenland's telecommunications network and ensure seamless communication for your users. Consult Tusass's official documentation at tusass.gl for the most up-to-date information and specific technical requirements.