Phone Numbers in Mali

Phone Numbers in Mali: A Detailed Guide

Quick Reference

  • Country: Mali
  • Country Code: +223
  • International Prefix: 00
  • National Prefix: None

Overview

Discover the intricacies of Mali's telephone numbering plan with this comprehensive guide. It details the structure of phone numbers, dialing procedures for both domestic and international calls, and recent updates to the numbering plan. This resource is invaluable for telecom professionals, developers, and systems administrators aiming to understand and implement Mali's numbering system.

Number Formats

General Number Structure

Mali operates a closed numbering plan with a fixed length of 8 digits for all phone numbers. The structure is:

  • Country Code: +223
  • Subscriber Number: 8 digits

Landline Numbers

Landline numbers typically start with the digit 2:

  • Format: 2XXXXXXX
  • Examples: 20234567, 22456789

Mobile Numbers

Mobile numbers usually begin with 6, 7, or 9:

  • Format: [679]XXXXXXX
  • Examples: 61234567, 72345678, 93456789

Toll-Free Numbers

Toll-free numbers start with 80:

  • Format: 80XXXXXX
  • Examples: 80012345, 80456789

Special Services Numbers

Special services numbers, including emergency services, have shorter formats:

  • Format: 1XX
  • Example: 112 (Emergency Services)

Number Formats Table

Number TypeFormatExample
Landline2XXXXXXX20234567
Mobile[679]XXXXXXX61234567
Toll-Free80XXXXXX80012345
Special Services1XX112

Numbering Scheme (Regular Expressions)

For developers, use these regular expressions to validate Mali's phone numbers:

  • Landline: ^2\d{7}$
  • Mobile: ^[679]\d{7}$
  • Toll-Free: ^80\d{6}$
  • Special Services: ^1\d{2}$

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

  • Landline to Landline: Dial the 8-digit number directly.
  • Landline to Mobile: Dial the 8-digit mobile number directly.
  • Mobile to Mobile: Dial the 8-digit mobile number directly.

International Calls

  • Outgoing: Dial 00 followed by the country code, then the subscriber number.

    • Example: To call the US from Mali, dial 00 1 XXX XXX XXXX.
  • Incoming: Dial +223 followed by the 8-digit local number.

    • Example: To call Mali from abroad, dial +223 61234567.

Recent Changes to Numbering Plan

As of now, there are no significant changes to Mali's numbering plan. The structure remains stable, with no new prefixes or digit changes announced.

Number Portability

Mali does not support mobile number portability (MNP). Numbers assigned by a telecom operator cannot be transferred to another operator.

Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

OperatorNumber Range
Orange Mali6XXXXXXX, 7XXXXXXX
Malitel9XXXXXXX

ITU Standards and Recommendations

Mali adheres to ITU-T recommendations, particularly E.164, defining the international public telecommunication numbering plan.

Number Allocation and Management

The Autorité Malienne de Régulation des Télécommunications/TIC et des Postes (AMRTP) manages phone number allocation in Mali, ensuring compliance with national and international standards.

Technical Restrictions and Special Cases

  • Golden Numbers: Premium numbers available for purchase at a higher cost, often easier to remember.
  • Number Blocking: Certain numbers may be blocked by operators for fraud prevention or regulatory compliance.

Technical Considerations

For Developers

  • Validation: Use the provided regular expressions to validate phone numbers in applications.
  • Formatting: Store phone numbers in E.164 format for international compatibility.
  • Internationalization: Implement logic to handle both domestic and international dialing formats.

For Systems Administrators

  • Routing: Configure PBX systems to route calls based on number type (landline, mobile, toll-free).
  • Portability Handling: Ensure numbers are correctly associated with the original operator, as Mali does not support number portability.

For the latest information on telecommunications regulations in Mali, visit the official AMRTP website.