Understanding Phone Numbers in the Syrian Arab Republic

Key Information

• Country: Syrian Arab Republic
• Country Code: +963
• International Prefix: 00
• National Prefix: 0

Introduction

Gain a comprehensive understanding of the phone number system in the Syrian Arab Republic. This guide is essential for telecom professionals, developers, and system administrators who need to navigate the complexities of Syrian phone numbers, including their structure, dialing protocols, and regulatory guidelines.

Numbering Formats

General Structure

Syrian phone numbers adhere to the ITU-T E.164 standard, ensuring global compatibility. The typical format includes:

• Country Code: +963
• National Significant Number (NSN): 8 to 10 digits
  • Area/City Code: 1 to 2 digits (for fixed lines)
  • Subscriber Number: 6 to 8 digits

Landline Numbers

• Format: 0X{1-2}Y{6-7}
  • 0: National Prefix
  • X{1-2}: Area/City Code (e.g., 11 for Damascus, 21 for Aleppo)
  • Y{6-7}: Subscriber Number

Examples

• Damascus: 011XXXXXXX
• Aleppo: 021XXXXXXX

Mobile Numbers

Mobile numbers start with 9 and are 10 digits long:

• Format: 09[1-689]XXXXXXX
  • 0: National Prefix
  • 9: Mobile Prefix
  • [1-689]: Mobile Network Identifier
  • XXXXXXX: Subscriber Number

Examples

• Syriatel: 093XXXXXXX
• MTN Syria: 095XXXXXXX

Special Services Numbers

• Emergency Services: 1XX
• Toll-Free Numbers: 800XXXX

Number Format Table

Number Type	Format	Example
Landline	0X{1-2}Y{6-7}	0112345678
Mobile	09[1-689]XXXXXXX	0931234567
Emergency	1XX	110
Toll-Free	800XXXX	8001234

Validating Phone Numbers

To ensure correct formatting, use these regular expressions:

• Landline:
  ^0[1-9]{1,2}[0-9]{6,7}$
  

• Mobile:
  ^09[1-689][0-9]{7}$
  

• Emergency:
  ^1[0-9]{2}$
  

• Toll-Free:
  ^800[0-9]{4}$
  

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

• Landline to Landline: Dial the full area code and subscriber number.
  • Example: 0211234567
• Landline to Mobile: Dial the mobile number starting with 09.
  • Example: 0931234567
• Mobile to Mobile: Dial the 10-digit mobile number directly.
  • Example: 0931234567

International Calls

• Outgoing: Dial 00 followed by the country code, area code, and subscriber number.
  • Example: To call the U.S., dial 001234567890
• Incoming: Dial +963 followed by the Syrian number without the leading 0.
  • Example: +963112345678

Number Portability

Currently, Syria has limited implementation of mobile number portability (MNP). Subscribers typically cannot retain their numbers when switching operators.

Major Telecom Operators

Operator	Number Range
Syrian Telecom (Syriatel)	093XXXXXXX
MTN Syria	095XXXXXXX
Syrian Telecommunications Establishment (STE)	Fixed-Line Numbers 0X{1-2}Y{6-7}

Regulatory Authority

The Ministry of Communications and Technology oversees telecommunications in Syria. For the latest information, visit the Ministry's official website.

Recent Developments

As of the latest updates, there are no significant changes to the numbering plan in Syria.

Number Management

The Ministry of Communications and Technology manages number allocation, ensuring compliance with ITU-T standards and distributing number ranges to operators.

Technical Considerations

For developers and system administrators:

1. Validation: Use regex patterns to validate Syrian numbers.
2. Formatting: Implement user-friendly number formatting.
3. Number Portability: Be aware of MNP limitations.
4. Regulatory Compliance: Ensure adherence to local regulations.