Comprehensive Guide to Phone Numbers in Madagascar

Quick Reference

• Country: Madagascar
• Country Code: +261
• International Prefix: 00
• National Prefix: 0
• Regulatory Authority: Autorité de Régulation des Technologies de Communication (ARTEC)

Overview

This guide offers an in-depth look at Madagascar's telephone numbering plan, detailing the structure of phone numbers, dialing procedures, and regulatory aspects. It is an essential resource for telecom professionals, developers, and systems administrators seeking accurate information on Madagascar's telecommunications framework.

Number Formats

General Number Structure

Madagascar uses a closed numbering plan with fixed-length numbers, differing between fixed-line and mobile numbers.

• Fixed-Line Numbers: 7 digits
• Mobile Numbers: 8 digits

Detailed Number Structure

Landline Numbers

Landline numbers in Madagascar are structured as follows:

• Format: 20 XXXXXX

• Examples:

  • 20 1234567
  • 20 7654321

• Regex Pattern:

^20\d{6}$

Mobile Numbers

Mobile numbers in Madagascar follow this structure:

• Format: 3[2-4,7-9] XXXXXX

• Examples:

  • 32 12345678
  • 34 87654321

• Regex Pattern:

^3[2-4,7-9]\d{7}$

Special Services Numbers

Special services numbers are used for various non-geographic services:

• Format: 30 XXXXXX

• Examples:

  • 30 1234567
  • 30 7654321

• Regex Pattern:

^30\d{6}$

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

• Landline to Landline: Dial the full 7-digit number. For example, 20 1234567.
• Landline to Mobile: Dial the full 8-digit mobile number. For example, 32 12345678.
• Mobile to Mobile: Dial the full 8-digit mobile number. For example, 34 87654321.

International Calls

• Outgoing International Calls: Dial 00 followed by the country code, area code (if applicable), and the subscriber number.
  • Example: To call a number in France, dial 00 33 XXXXXXXXX.
• Incoming International Calls: Dial +261 followed by the local number without the leading 0.
  • Example: To reach a mobile number, dial +261 32 12345678.

Number Portability

Madagascar supports number portability, allowing users to retain their phone numbers when switching between service providers. This applies to both mobile and fixed-line numbers, managed by telecom operators under ARTEC's oversight.

Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

Regulatory Standards

Madagascar adheres to ITU-T standards including:

• E.164: Defines the international public telecommunication numbering plan.
• E.123: Provides guidelines for the notation of national and international telephone numbers.

Number Allocation and Management

The allocation and management of phone numbers in Madagascar is overseen by the Autorité de Régulation des Technologies de Communication (ARTEC). The authority ensures compliance with national and international standards, manages number resources, and implements changes to the numbering plan.

Technical Restrictions and Special Cases

• Golden Numbers: No specific information is available on the allocation of golden numbers in Madagascar.
• Number Blocking: No specific technical restrictions on number blocking are documented.

Technical Considerations

For Developers and Systems Administrators

When integrating Madagascar phone numbers into systems, consider the following:

• Validation: Use the provided regex patterns for accurate validation of phone numbers.
• Portability: Ensure systems support number portability to avoid service disruptions.
• Internationalization: Implement proper handling of international dialing formats, particularly the omission of the leading 0 when dialing from abroad.