Phone Numbers in Sint Maarten

Sint Maarten Phone Number Guide

Quick Reference


Overview

This guide offers a comprehensive look at Sint Maarten's telephone numbering system, crucial for telecom professionals, developers, and systems administrators. It covers local number formats, dialing procedures, and regulatory guidelines.

Number Formats

Sint Maarten adheres to the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), shared with the US, Canada, and other Caribbean nations. The standard phone number format is:

+1 721 NXX XXXX

General Number Structure

  • Country Code: +1
  • Area Code: 721
  • Subscriber Number Length: 7 digits (NXX XXXX)

Number Formats by Type

TypeFormatExampleDescription
Landline+1 721 5XX XXXX+1 721 542 1234Typically starts with 5XX, where X can be any digit between 0-9.
Mobile+1 721 5XX XXXX+1 721 520 1234Typically starts with 5XX, where X can be any digit between 0-9.
Toll-Free+1 800 XXX XXXX+1 800 123 4567Follows the North American toll-free format, starting with 800.
Premium Rate+1 900 XXX XXXX+1 900 123 4567Premium rate services, typically starting with 900.

Regular Expressions for Number Validation

For developers, use these regex patterns to validate Sint Maarten phone numbers:

  • General Numbers:
    ^\+1\s721\s[2-9]\d{2}\s\d{4}$
    
  • Landline Numbers:
    ^\+1\s721\s5[2-8]\d\s\d{4}$
    
  • Mobile Numbers:
    ^\+1\s721\s5[0-9]\d\s\d{4}$
    
  • Toll-Free Numbers:
    ^\+1\s800\s\d{3}\s\d{4}$
    
  • Premium Rate Numbers:
    ^\+1\s900\s\d{3}\s\d{4}$
    

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

  • Landline to Landline: Dial 1 + 721 + NXX XXXX
  • Landline to Mobile: Dial 1 + 721 + NXX XXXX
  • Mobile to Mobile: Dial 1 + 721 + NXX XXXX

International Calls

  • Outgoing: Dial 011 + Country Code + Area Code + Subscriber Number
  • Incoming: From abroad, dial +1 721 followed by the NXX XXXX.

Recent and Upcoming Changes

Currently, there are no significant changes to Sint Maarten’s numbering plan. Stay updated by visiting the Bureau Telecommunication and Post Sint Maarten for the latest information.

Number Portability

Sint Maarten supports mobile number portability (MNP), allowing users to retain their numbers when changing service providers, ensuring continuity in communications.

Major Telecom Operators

  • TelEm Group: Uses prefixes like 520, 521, 522 for mobile services.
  • UTS (United Telecommunication Services): Uses prefixes like 580, 581, 582.

ITU Standards

Sint Maarten complies with the ITU-T E.164 standard for international telephone numbering, ensuring global uniqueness and compatibility.

Number Allocation and Management

The Bureau Telecommunication and Post Sint Maarten (BTP) oversees the allocation and management of phone numbers, ensuring efficient use and availability.

Technical Restrictions and Special Cases

  • Golden Numbers: Premium numbers available for purchase.
  • Number Blocking: Certain numbers may be blocked for security or regulatory reasons.

Technical Considerations for Developers

  1. Validation: Use provided regex for correct formatting.
  2. Formatting: Store numbers in international format (+1 721 NXX XXXX) for global compatibility.
  3. Portability: Consider mobile number portability to avoid routing issues.
  4. Rate Limiting: Implement to prevent abuse of premium rate numbers.

For the latest telecom regulations in Sint Maarten, visit the Bureau Telecommunication and Post Sint Maarten.