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Phone Numbers in Qatar

Comprehensive Guide to Phone Numbers in Qatar

Quick Reference

  • Country: Qatar
  • Country Code: +974
  • International Prefix: 00
  • National Prefix: None
  • Regulatory Authority: Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA)
  • ITU-T Standard: E.164

Overview

This detailed guide offers an in-depth look at Qatar's telephone numbering plan, covering phone number structures, dialing procedures, and regulatory insights. It's an essential resource for telecom professionals, developers, and systems administrators working with Qatar's telecommunications.

Number Formats in Qatar

Qatar adheres to the ITU-T E.164 international numbering standard. The country does not use area codes, and all phone numbers are 8 digits long. Here's a breakdown of the various phone number types in Qatar:

General Number Structure

  • Country Code: +974
  • Subscriber Number Length: 8 digits

Geographic and Landline Numbers

  • Format: 4XXXXXXX
  • Description: Landline numbers typically begin with the digit 4.

Examples:

  • 44123456
  • 44223344

Mobile Numbers

  • Format: [3|5|6|7]XXXXXXX
  • Description: Mobile numbers start with 3, 5, 6, or 7.

Examples:

  • 33123456
  • 55123456
  • 66123456
  • 77123456

Toll-Free Numbers

  • Format: 800XXXX
  • Description: Toll-free numbers start with 800 and are 8 digits long.

Examples:

  • 8001234
  • 8005678

Special Services and Short Codes

  • Format: [1XXX|20XXX|99XXX]
  • Description: Special service numbers, including emergency services, use short codes.

Examples:

  • 1999 (Emergency services)
  • 1234 (General short code)

Number Formats Table

TypeFormatExample
Geographic/Landline4XXXXXXX44123456
Mobile`[35
Toll-Free800XXXX8001234
Special Services`[1XXX20XXX

Regular Expressions

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

  • Landline: ^4\d{7}$
  • Mobile: ^[3-7]\d{7}$
  • Toll-Free: ^800\d{4}$
  • Short Codes: ^(1\d{3}|20\d{3}|99\d{3})$

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, area code (if applicable), and the subscriber number.
  • Incoming: The caller should dial +974 followed by the 8-digit local number.

Number Portability

Qatar supports mobile number portability, allowing subscribers to keep their mobile numbers when switching providers. This is regulated by the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA).

Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

OperatorNumber Ranges
Ooredoo33XXXXXX, 55XXXXXX, 66XXXXXX
Vodafone Qatar77XXXXXX

Number Allocation and Management

The CRA is responsible for the allocation and management of phone numbers in Qatar, ensuring alignment with ITU-T recommendations and addressing the needs of the telecommunications sector.

Technical Considerations

For Developers

  • Validation: Use the provided regular expressions for phone number validation.
  • Portability: Ensure systems accommodate mobile number portability.
  • Dialing Logic: Implement logic to handle both domestic and international dialing formats.

Restrictions and Special Cases

  • Golden Numbers: Certain numbers are considered "golden" and may be reserved or sold at a premium.
  • Number Blocking: Blocking can occur due to non-payment or regulatory reasons.

For the latest telecommunications regulations in Qatar, visit the CRA's official website.