What is the country code for Lao People's Democratic Republic?

The country code for Lao People's Democratic Republic is +856.

How are mobile numbers structured in Lao People's Democratic Republic?

Mobile numbers in Lao People's Democratic Republic are structured as follows: they begin with '20', followed by a digit between 2 and 9, and then a 7-digit subscriber number. For example, a mobile number could be formatted as 2023456789.

What are the dialing procedures for international calls to Lao People's Democratic Republic?

To make an international call to Lao People's Democratic Republic, you should dial your country's international access code (e.g., 00), followed by the Lao country code (+856), the area code, and then the subscriber number. For example, to call a landline in Vientiane, you would dial +856 21 234567.

Is number portability available in Lao People's Democratic Republic?

No, mobile number portability is not currently implemented in Lao People's Democratic Republic. This means subscribers cannot retain their phone numbers when switching between different telecom operators.

Which telecom operators are the major providers in Lao People's Democratic Republic, and what are their number ranges?

The major telecom operators in Lao People's Democratic Republic include Lao Telecom, Unitel, ETL, and Beeline. Each operator is allocated specific number ranges, but generally, mobile numbers start with '20', followed by a digit between 2 and 9, while landline numbers typically start with '2' or '3'.

What is the country code for Laos?

The country code for Laos is +856.

How do I dial a landline number within Laos?

To dial a landline number within Laos, use the area code followed by the subscriber number. For example, 021234567 for a call within Vientiane.

Can I keep my mobile number if I switch providers in Laos?

No, mobile number portability is not available in Laos, so you cannot retain your number when switching providers.

What is the international dialing prefix for Laos?

The international dialing prefix for Laos is 00.

What format do Lao mobile numbers follow?

Lao mobile numbers follow the format 20[2-9]X{7}, such as 2023456789.

What is a golden number in Laos?

Golden numbers are premium numbers with high memorability, often sold at higher prices.

How can I block unwanted numbers in Laos?

Number blocking is available through most operators in Laos to block unwanted numbers.

What are the emergency service numbers in Laos?

The emergency service number in Laos is 199.

What is the national prefix for Laos?

The national prefix for Laos is 0.

How do I make an outgoing international call from Laos?

To make an outgoing international call from Laos, dial 00, followed by the country code, area code, and subscriber number.

What is the format for toll-free numbers in Laos?

Toll-free numbers in Laos follow the format 1800XXXXXX, such as 1800123456.

Which telecom operators are major in Laos?

Major telecom operators in Laos include Lao Telecom, Unitel, ETL, and Beeline.

How should Lao phone numbers be stored for consistency?

Lao phone numbers should be stored in the E.164 format for consistency.

What time zone does Laos operate in?

Laos operates on Indochina Time (ICT), which is UTC+7.

How do I dial a mobile number from a landline in Laos?

To dial a mobile number from a landline in Laos, simply dial the mobile number directly, such as 2023456789.

What is the format for short codes in Laos?

Short codes in Laos can be either XXX or XXXX, such as 119 or 1234.

What is the recommended way to validate Lao phone numbers?

Use regular expressions to validate Lao phone numbers, such as ^20[2-9]\d{7}$ for mobile numbers.

Phone Numbers in Laos: Formats and Dialing Rules

Quick Reference

Country: Lao People's Democratic Republic
Country Code: +856
International Prefix: 00
National Prefix: 0

Overview

Discover the comprehensive details of the telephone numbering plan in Laos. This guide covers phone number structures, dialing procedures, and technical considerations for telecommunication professionals and developers integrating Lao phone numbers into their systems.

Number Formats

General Number Structure

Laos adheres to the ITU-T E.164 international numbering format. The typical phone number structure includes:

Country Code: +856
Area Code: 1-2 digits
Subscriber Number: 6-8 digits

Detailed Number Formats

Type	Format	Example
Landline Numbers	`2X{7}` or `3X{7}`	2123456, 31234567
Mobile Numbers	`20[2-9]X{7}`	2023456789, 2098765432
Toll-Free Numbers	`1800XXXXXX`	1800123456
Short Codes	`XXX` or `XXXX`	119, 1234
Emergency Services	`199`	199

Regular Expressions

Validate Lao phone numbers using these regular expressions:

Landline Numbers:
```
^2\d{7}$|^3\d{7}$
```
Mobile Numbers:
```
^20[2-9]\d{7}$
```
Toll-Free Numbers:
```
^1800\d{6}$
```
Short Codes:
```
^\d{3,4}$
```
Emergency Numbers:
```
^199$
```

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

Landline to Landline: Dial the area code followed by the subscriber number.
Example: 021234567 (within Vientiane)
Landline to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly.
Example: 2023456789
Mobile to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly.
Example: 2098765432

International Calls

Outgoing International Calls: Dial 00, the country code, area code, and subscriber number.
Example: 00 1 213 5551234 (to Los Angeles, USA)
Incoming International Calls: Use +856 followed by the area code and subscriber number.
Example: +856 21 234567 (to a Vientiane landline)

Recent Changes to Numbering Plan

Currently, there are no significant changes to the numbering plan in Laos. Stay updated by checking with the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications.

Number Portability

Mobile number portability is not available in Laos, meaning subscribers cannot retain their numbers when switching providers.

Major Telecom Operators

Lao Telecom: Offers fixed-line and mobile services.
Unitel: Provides mobile and some fixed-line services.
ETL: Specializes in mobile services.
Beeline: Focuses on mobile services.

Regulatory Body

The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPT) regulates telecommunications in Laos. For more information, visit their official website.

Number Allocation and Management

The MPT oversees number allocation and management, ensuring compliance with the national numbering plan.

Technical Restrictions or Special Cases

Golden Numbers: Premium numbers with high memorability, often sold at higher prices.
Number Blocking: Available through most operators to block unwanted numbers.

Technical Considerations

For developers and administrators working with Lao phone numbers, consider:

Validation: Use provided regex for accurate validation.
Normalization: Store numbers in E.164 format for consistency.
Internationalization: Handle both domestic and international formats.
Time Zone Awareness: Laos operates on Indochina Time (ICT), UTC+7.
Number Formatting: Always include the country code in international contexts.

For the latest telecommunications regulations in Laos, consult the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications.

References:

Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPT)
ITU-T Recommendations E.164 and E.123
Official websites of Lao Telecom, Unitel, ETL, Beeline