Phone Numbers in Lebanon: A Comprehensive Guide

Quick Reference

• Country: Lebanon
• Country Code: +961
• International Prefix: 00
• National Prefix: 0
• Regulatory Authority: Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA)

---

Overview

This guide offers a detailed examination of Lebanon's telephone numbering plan, covering number formats, dialing procedures, and regulatory aspects. It is tailored for telecom professionals, developers, and system administrators seeking precise information on Lebanese phone numbers.

Number Formats

Lebanon's numbering plan adheres to the ITU-T E.164 standard, with international numbers capped at 15 digits. The national plan is structured as follows:

General Number Structure

• Country Code: +961
• National Number: 8 digits
  • Format: 0X XXXXXX
• International Number: +961 followed by the national number without the leading 0
  • Format: +961 X XXXXXX

Number Structure by Type

Type	Format	Example	Description
Landline	0X XXXXXX	01 234567	Fixed-line numbers, area code followed by a 6-digit subscriber number.
Mobile	0X XXXXXX	03 123456	Mobile numbers, starting with 03, 70, 71, 76, 78, or 79.
Premium Rate	09 XXXXXX	09 123456	Premium-rate services, typically starting with 09.
Shared Cost	08 XXXXXX	08 123456	Shared cost numbers, typically starting with 08.
Emergency	XXX	112	Short code for emergency services.

Regular Expressions

Use these regular expressions to validate Lebanese phone numbers:

• Landline:
  ^0[1-9]\d{6}$
  

• Mobile:
  ^0[3|7][0-9]\d{6}$
  

• Premium Rate:
  ^09\d{6}$
  

• Shared Cost:
  ^08\d{6}$
  

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

• Landline to Landline: Dial the area code followed by the subscriber number, e.g., 01 234567.
• Landline to Mobile: Dial the mobile prefix followed by the subscriber number, e.g., 03 123456.
• Mobile to Mobile: Dial the mobile prefix followed by the subscriber number, e.g., 70 123456.

International Calls

• Outgoing: Dial 00 followed by the country code, area code, and subscriber number, e.g., to call the USA: 00 1 XXX XXX XXXX.
• Incoming: Dial +961 followed by the Lebanese national number without the leading 0, e.g., +961 1 234567.

Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

Lebanon's telecom market is primarily served by:

Operator	Service Type	Number Prefixes
Ogero Telecom	Fixed-line	01, 04, 06
Alfa (Touch)	Mobile (MIC1)	03, 70, 71
Touch (MIC2)	Mobile (MIC2)	76, 78, 79

Number Portability

Lebanon supports mobile number portability (MNP), allowing users to retain their numbers when switching operators. This is regulated by the TRA.

Number Allocation and Management

The TRA manages number allocation and ensures compliance with ITU-T standards, overseeing number portability and special allocations.

Technical Considerations

For Developers

• Validation: Use regex to validate phone numbers.
• Normalization: Remove leading 0 for international storage.
• Portability: Consider number portability in routing and billing.

Special Cases

• Golden Numbers: Premium numbers that are easy to remember, often sold at a premium.
• Number Blocking: Some ranges may be reserved for specific services.

Recent Changes to the Numbering Plan

Currently, there are no significant changes to Lebanon's numbering plan. The TRA regularly reviews and consults on updates.

ITU-T Standards Compliance

Lebanon complies with the ITU-T E.164 standard, ensuring global recognition and interoperability of its numbers.

Conclusion

Lebanon's telephone numbering plan is structured and compliant with international standards. Understanding its formats, dialing procedures, and regulatory framework is crucial for telecom professionals.

For the latest updates on Lebanon's telecommunications regulations, visit the TRA's official website.

---