Understanding Phone Numbers in Tokelau

Overview

Tokelau's phone number system is designed to accommodate its small population and limited infrastructure. This guide explores the numbering plan, dialing procedures, and technical considerations for working with Tokelau's phone numbers. Whether you're a telecom professional or a developer, you'll find essential insights here.

Quick Reference

• Country: Tokelau
• Country Code: +690
• International Prefix: 00
• National Prefix: None
• Regulatory Body: Office of the Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau
• ITU-T Recommendation: E.164

Number Structure

Tokelau's numbering plan is straightforward, with a focus on simplicity. Here's how the numbers are structured:

General Number Format

• Format: [2-4][2-7][0-9]{3,6}
• Length: 5 to 8 digits
• Example: 47247036

Landline Numbers

• Format: 2[2-4][0-9]{2,5}
• Length: 5 to 8 digits
• Example: 2224434

Mobile Numbers

• Format: 7[2-4][0-9]{2,5}
• Length: 5 to 8 digits
• Example: 7224625

Special Services Numbers

• Format: [3-4][0-9]{2,5}
• Length: 5 to 8 digits
• Example: 3421234

Number Format Table

Type	Format	Length	Example
General Numbers	[2-4][2-7][0-9]6	5-8 digits	47247036
Landline Numbers	2[2-4][0-9]5	5-8 digits	2224434
Mobile Numbers	7[2-4][0-9]5	5-8 digits	7224625
Special Services	[3-4][0-9]5	5-8 digits	3421234

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

• Landline to Landline: Dial the number directly, e.g., 2224434.
• Landline to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly, e.g., 7224625.
• Mobile to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly, e.g., 7224625.

International Calls

• Outgoing: Dial 00, then the country code, area code (if applicable), and the subscriber number. Example: 00 + 1 + 212 + 5551234 for the USA.
• Incoming: Callers from abroad should dial +690 followed by the local number. Example: +690 47247036.

Number Portability

Currently, number portability is not available in Tokelau, meaning subscribers cannot keep their numbers when switching service providers.

Telecom Operators and Number Allocation

Telecommunications in Tokelau are primarily managed by the Office of the Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau. Due to the small population, specific number allocations to operators are limited.

ITU-T Standards Compliance

Tokelau complies with the ITU-T E.164 recommendation, ensuring global recognition and standardized international dialing procedures.

Technical Considerations for Developers

When integrating Tokelau's phone numbers into systems, consider the following:

• Regex for Validation:

  ^[2-4][2-7][0-9]{3,6}$  // General Numbers
  ^2[2-4][0-9]{2,5}$       // Landline Numbers
  ^7[2-4][0-9]{2,5}$       // Mobile Numbers
  ^[3-4][0-9]{2,5}$        // Special Services
  

• Number Format Handling: Ensure systems can handle numbers from 5 to 8 digits without leading zeros. Normalize numbers with the country code +690 for international use.

• Dialing Rules: Implement logic for both domestic and international dialing based on user input.

Recent or Upcoming Changes

Currently, there are no known changes to Tokelau's numbering plan. For updates, refer to the Office of the Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau.

Conclusion

Tokelau's phone number system is simple and efficient, reflecting the needs of its small population. By following the guidelines and technical advice in this guide, you can effectively manage and utilize Tokelau's phone numbers in telecommunications and IT applications.