Liberia Phone Numbers: Technical Overview and Numbering Plan
Quick Reference
- Country: Liberia
- Country Code: +231
- International Prefix: 00
- National Prefix: 0
- ITU-T Standard: E.164
Overview
This comprehensive guide delves into Liberia's telephone numbering plan, detailing its structure, formats, and dialing procedures. It is essential for telecom professionals, developers, and system administrators to understand these technical considerations, which adhere to the ITU-T E.164 standard for international compatibility.
Number Structure
Liberia's telephone numbers are composed of several components:
- Country Code: +231
- National (Significant) Number: Includes the area code (if applicable) and the subscriber number.
- Area/City Codes: May vary by geographic region.
- Subscriber Number Length: Ranges from 7 to 9 digits, depending on the service type (landline or mobile).
Number Format Breakdown
Type | Example Format | Regex Pattern | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Geographic | 2X XXX XXXX | ^2\d{7}$ | Fixed-line numbers, 7 digits. |
Mobile | 77X XXX XXXX, 88X XXX XXXX | `^(77 | 88)\d7$` |
Premium Rate | 332 XXX XXXX | ^332\d{6}$ | Premium rate services, 9 digits. |
Toll-Free | Not Available | N/A | Currently, no toll-free numbers exist. |
Special Services | 3XX | ^3\d{2}$ | Short codes for emergency and special services. |
Example Numbers
- Geographic: 2212345
- Mobile: 771234567, 881234567
- Premium Rate: 332123456
Dialing Procedures
Domestic Calls
- Landline to Landline: Dial the full 7-digit number directly.
- Landline to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly.
- Mobile to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly.
- Mobile to Landline: Dial the landline number directly.
International Calls
- Outgoing: Dial
00
(International Prefix) +Country Code
+Local Number
(omit the leading 0). - Incoming: Dial
+231
followed by the local number.
Example Dialing Scenarios
- Calling from Liberia to the USA:
00 1 XXX XXX XXXX
- Calling from the USA to Liberia:
+231 77X XXX XXXX
Number Portability
Currently, Liberia does not support mobile number portability. There are no announced plans or timelines for its implementation.
Telecom Operators and Number Ranges
Liberia's major telecom operators manage specific number ranges:
Operator | Number Range | Service Type |
---|---|---|
Liberty Communications | 77X XXX XXXX | Mobile |
Orange Liberia | 88X XXX XXXX | Mobile |
Lonestar Cell MTN | 22X XXX XXXX | Mobile |
Number Allocation and Management
The Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA) oversees the allocation and management of telephone numbers, ensuring compliance with ITU-T recommendations and national regulations.
- Regulatory Body: Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA)
- Official Website: Liberia Telecommunications Authority
Technical Considerations
Regular Expression Validation
For developers and systems managing Liberia's phone numbers, use these regex patterns to validate different number types:
// Geographic Numbers
^2\d{7}$
// Mobile Numbers
^(77|88)\d{7}$
// Premium Rate Numbers
^332\d{6}$
// Special Services (Short Codes)
^3\d{2}$
// Full International Format
^\+231\d{7,9}$
Special Cases
- Golden Numbers: No public regulations on golden numbers exist in Liberia.
- Number Blocking: Managed at the operator level, with no specific restrictions from the regulatory authority.
Recent and Upcoming Changes
Currently, there are no recent or upcoming changes to Liberia's numbering plan. The LTA reviews the plan periodically to meet demand and technological advancements.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information on Liberia's telecommunications regulations, please consult the official website of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority.
Conclusion
This guide provides a detailed technical overview of Liberia's telephone numbering plan, including structure, formats, and dialing procedures. Staying informed about regulatory updates and technical standards is crucial for professionals working with Liberia's telecommunications infrastructure.
For further details, refer to the Liberia Telecommunications Authority's official documentation and ITU-T recommendations.