Phone Numbers in Norway: Formats and Regulations
Quick Reference
- Country: Norway
- Country Code: +47
- International Prefix: 00
- National Prefix: None
Overview
Discover Norway's telephone numbering plan, detailing number formats, dialing procedures, and regulatory insights. This guide is indispensable for telecom professionals, developers, and businesses managing Norwegian phone numbers.
Number Formats
General Number Structure
Norwegian phone numbers comply with the E.164 international standard, structured as follows:
- Country Code: +47
- Subscriber Number: 8 digits (no area codes)
Geographic (Landline) Numbers
Geographic numbers indicate regions through the first digit and are 8 digits long.
Format:
2[1-4]XXXXXX | 3[1-3578]XXXXXX | 5[1-35-7]XXXXXX | 6[1-4679]XXXXXX | 7[0-8]XXXXXX
Examples:
- 21123456
- 32123456
- 55123456
Mobile Numbers
Mobile numbers are identified by specific prefixes and are also 8 digits long.
Format:
4[015-8]XXXXXX | 9XXXXXXX
Examples:
- 40123456
- 91123456
Toll-Free Numbers
Toll-free numbers start with 80 and are 8 digits long.
Format:
80[01]XXXXX
Examples:
- 80012345
- 81012345
Premium Rate Numbers
Used for services like voting, these numbers start with 82.
Format:
82[09]XXXXX
Examples:
- 82012345
- 82912345
Shared Cost Numbers
These numbers start with 81, splitting costs between caller and service provider.
Format:
810XXXXX
Examples:
- 81012345
- 81123456
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, the country code, area code (if applicable), and subscriber number.
- Incoming: Dial +47 followed by the 8-digit Norwegian number.
Example for calling the United States from Norway:
00 1 XXX XXX XXXX
Number Portability
Norway allows number portability for both mobile and landline numbers, regulated by the Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom).
Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges
| Operator | Mobile Prefixes | Landline Prefixes |
|---|---|---|
| Telenor | 4[015-8]XXXXXX, 9XXXXXXX | 2[1-4]XXXXXX |
| Telia | 4[015-8]XXXXXX, 9XXXXXXX | 3[1-3578]XXXXXX |
| Ice | 4[015-8]XXXXXX, 9XXXXXXX | 5[1-35-7]XXXXXX |
| Lycamobile | 4[015-8]XXXXXX, 9XXXXXXX | 6[1-4679]XXXXXX |
Regulatory Body
The Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) oversees Norway's numbering plan, ensuring compliance with ITU-T standards.
Number Allocation and Management
Nkom manages number allocation to service providers, ensuring efficient use and international standard compliance.
Technical Considerations
Regular Expressions for Number Validation
Use these regex patterns to validate Norwegian phone numbers:
- General Numbers:
^\(\+47\)?[2-9]\d{7}$ - Landline Numbers:
^(2[1-4]|3[1-3578]|5[1-35-7]|6[1-4679]|7[0-8])\d{6}$ - Mobile Numbers:
^(4[015-8]|9)\d{7}$ - Toll-Free Numbers:
^80[01]\d{5}$ - Premium Rate Numbers:
^82[09]\d{5}$ - Shared Cost Numbers:
^81\d{5}$
ITU-T Recommendations
Norway adheres to the E.164 standard, crucial for international call routing and global numbering management.
Technical Restrictions and Special Cases
While Norway lacks specific "golden numbers," certain blocks may be reserved for special services or future use. Operators can block numbers in cases of fraud.
For the latest telecommunications regulations in Norway, visit the Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom).
Conclusion
Norway's telephone numbering plan is straightforward, featuring a consistent 8-digit format. Understanding its structure, dialing rules, and regulatory framework is crucial for telecom, software development, and business communications. For further technical details, consult the Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) and ITU-T recommendations.