Understanding Phone Numbers in Lesotho

Quick Reference Guide

• Country: Lesotho
• Country Code: +266
• International Prefix: 00
• National Prefix: None

Comprehensive Overview

This guide offers an in-depth look at Lesotho's telephone numbering plan, detailing the structure of phone numbers, dialing procedures, and essential technical considerations. Whether you're a telecom expert, developer, or business user, this resource will help you navigate and utilize Lesotho's phone number formats efficiently.

Number Formats and Structure

Lesotho adheres to the ITU-T E.164 international numbering plan, which is an open numbering system. All phone numbers in Lesotho consist of the country code (+266) followed by a seven-digit national subscriber number. There are no area codes; the first digit of the national number signifies the service type.

General Number Structure

• Country Code: +266
• National Number: XXXXXXXXX
  • X: Leading digit indicating service type (e.g., mobile, fixed-line)
  • XXXXXXXX: Seven-digit subscriber number

Numbering Formats by Service Type

Regular Expressions for Validation

For developers and system administrators, use these regular expressions to validate Lesotho phone numbers:

# Landline numbers
^2\d{7}$

# Mobile numbers
^[56]\d{7}$

# Toll-free numbers
^800\d{4}$

# Special services
^1\d{2}$

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Dialing

• Landline to Landline: Dial the seven-digit number directly (e.g., 2251234).
• Landline to Mobile: Dial the seven-digit mobile number directly (e.g., 5012345).
• Mobile to Mobile: Dial the seven-digit mobile number directly (e.g., 6012345).

International Dialing

• Outgoing International Calls: Dial the international prefix 00, followed by the destination country code and the national number (e.g., 00 1 1234567890 for a call to the USA).
• Incoming International Calls: Callers from abroad should dial +266 followed by the seven-digit national number (e.g., +266 2251234).

Number Portability

Currently, Lesotho does not support number portability for mobile or fixed-line services. Subscribers cannot retain their phone numbers when switching service providers.

Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

ITU-T Standards and Recommendations

Lesotho complies with the ITU-T E.164 standard for international numbering, ensuring compatibility and interoperability with global telecommunications networks.

Number Allocation and Management

The Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) is responsible for the allocation and management of telephone numbers in Lesotho. The LCA ensures compliance with international standards and oversees the implementation of the numbering plan.

Technical Considerations for Developers

1. Validation: Ensure phone numbers conform to the structures outlined above using regular expressions.
2. Formatting: Always include the country code (+266) when storing or displaying phone numbers for international compatibility.
3. Dialing Rules: Implement logic for handling different dialing scenarios, especially for international calls.
4. Number Portability: Note that number portability is not supported, so the operator can be inferred from the number range.

Special Cases and Restrictions

• Golden Numbers: Information on the allocation or use of "golden numbers" in Lesotho is not publicly available.
• Number Blocking: Specific details on number blocking or restrictions are not available, but standard practices should be followed.

Conclusion

This guide provides a detailed technical overview of Lesotho's telephone numbering plan, including formats, dialing procedures, and regulatory information. Adhering to these guidelines will ensure proper handling and validation of phone numbers in Lesotho, whether for local or international use.