Understanding Phone Numbers in Nepal

Quick Reference Guide

• Country: Nepal
• Country Code: +977
• International Prefix: 00
• National Prefix: 0

---

Overview

Discover the intricacies of Nepal's telephone numbering system. This guide offers a comprehensive look at number formats, dialing procedures, and regulatory insights crucial for telecom professionals, developers, and businesses working with Nepalese phone numbers.

Number Formats

General Number Structure

Nepal's numbering plan employs a fixed-length format with specific prefixes for various services, including geographic, mobile, and special services numbers.

• Country Code: +977
• National Significant Number (NSN): 8 to 10 digits

Geographic (Landline) Numbers

Geographic numbers are region-specific.

• Format: 0[1-9]X{7}
• Example: 01-1234567

Structure:

• Area Code: 1-2 digits (e.g., 01 for Kathmandu)
• Subscriber Number: 7 digits

Mobile Numbers

Mobile numbers feature distinct prefixes.

• Format: 98[4-9]XXXXXX
• Example: 9841234567

Structure:

• Mobile Prefix: 98X (where X ranges from 4 to 9)
• Subscriber Number: 7 digits

Toll-Free Numbers

Used for customer service and free-to-call services.

• Format: 1660XXXXXXX
• Example: 16601234567

Structure:

• Toll-Free Prefix: 1660
• Subscriber Number: 7 digits

Special Services Numbers

Includes emergency and premium-rate numbers.

• Format: [1-9]XX
• Example: 100 (for police)

Structure:

• Prefix: 1-3 digits depending on the service

---

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Dialing

1. Landline to Landline: Dial the full number including the area code, e.g., 01-1234567.
2. Landline to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly, e.g., 9841234567.
3. Mobile to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly, e.g., 9841234567.

International Dialing

1. From Nepal to Abroad: Dial 00, followed by the country code, area code, and subscriber number. Example: 00-91-XXXXXXXXXX for India.
2. From Abroad to Nepal: Dial your international access code, followed by 977, the area code (without the leading 0), and the subscriber number. Example: +977-1-1234567.

---

Numbering Scheme Regular Expressions

• Landline Numbers:
  /^0[1-9]\d{7}$/
  

• Mobile Numbers:
  /^98[4-9]\d{7}$/
  

• Toll-Free Numbers:
  /^1660\d{7}$/
  

---

Recent Changes to the Numbering Plan

Currently, there are no recent changes to Nepal's numbering plan. The structure remains stable, as confirmed by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority.

Number Portability

Nepal does not support Mobile Number Portability (MNP). Numbers remain with the assigned operator.

Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

Operator	Service Type	Number Range
Nepal Telecom	Landline	01, 02, 03
Nepal Telecom	Mobile	984, 985
Ncell	Mobile	980, 981
Smart Telecom	Mobile	961, 962

ITU Standards and Recommendations

Nepal's system complies with the ITU-T E.164 standard, ensuring global uniqueness and international dialing capability.

Number Allocation and Management

The Nepal Telecommunications Authority oversees number allocation, ensuring efficient distribution and adherence to international standards.

Technical Restrictions and Special Cases

• Golden Numbers: Premium numbers available at higher costs for their memorability.
• Number Blocking: Operators may block numbers to prevent spam or fraud.

Technical Considerations for Developers

1. Validation: Use regular expressions to validate numbers.
2. Formatting: Store numbers in E.164 format for consistency.
3. Dialing Logic: Implement logic for both domestic and international dialing.
4. Error Handling: Address the lack of number portability clearly to users.