Phone Numbers in Tanzania
Quick Reference
- Country: Tanzania
- Country Code: +255
- International Prefix: 00[056]
- National Prefix: 0
Overview
Explore the intricacies of Tanzania's telephone numbering system, including number formats, dialing rules, and telecom infrastructure. This guide is essential for telecom professionals, developers, and system administrators seeking detailed insights into Tanzania's phone systems.
Number Formats
General Number Structure
Tanzania's phone numbers comply with the ITU-T E.164 standard, facilitating global communication.
- Country Code: +255
- National (Significant) Number: 9 digits
- National Prefix: 0 (for domestic calls)
Number Format Breakdown
| Type of Number | Format | Example Numbers | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geographic Numbers | 2[2-8]XXXXXXX | 222123456, 288765432 | Landline numbers for fixed-line telephony. |
| Mobile Numbers | 6[125-9]XXXXXXX, 7[13-9]XXXXXXX | 621234567, 713456789 | Numbers used by mobile operators. |
| Toll-Free Numbers | 80[08]XXXXXX | 800123456, 808654321 | National and international toll-free services. |
| Premium Numbers | 90XXXXXXX | 901234567, 902345678 | Premium-rate services for special content or services. |
| Shared Cost Numbers | 840XXXXXX, 86[01]XXXXXX | 840123456, 860987654 | Shared cost services, splitting costs between caller and recipient. |
Regular Expressions for Number Validation
To programmatically validate Tanzanian phone numbers, use these regular expressions:
# Geographic Numbers
^2[2-8]\d{7}$
# Mobile Numbers
^6[125-9]\d{7}$|^7[13-9]\d{7}$
# Toll-Free Numbers
^80[08]\d{6}$
# Premium Numbers
^90\d{7}$
# Shared Cost Numbers
^840\d{6}$|^86[01]\d{6}$
Dialing Rules
Domestic Calls
- Landline to Landline: Dial
0+ geographic number (e.g.,0221234567). - Landline to Mobile: Dial
0+ mobile number (e.g.,0712345678). - Mobile to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly (e.g.,
0712345678).
International Calls
- Outgoing: Dial
00+ country code + subscriber number (e.g.,00441234567890for UK). - Incoming: Dial
+255+ national number without leading0(e.g.,+255712345678).
Regional Calls
- To Kenya: Dial
005+ Kenyan number. - To Uganda: Dial
006+ Ugandan number. - From Kenya/Uganda to Tanzania: Dial
007+ Tanzanian number.
Number Portability
Tanzania supports mobile number portability (MNP), allowing users to retain their numbers when switching providers. This service is regulated by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA).
Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges
| Operator | Number Range(s) |
|---|---|
| Airtel Tanzania | +255 78, +255 79 |
| Vodacom Tanzania | +255 74, +255 75, +255 76 |
| Zantel | +255 77 |
| Halotel | +255 61, +255 62 |
| Tigo | +255 65, +255 67, +255 71 |
| Smile | +255 66 |
Regulatory Body
The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) manages phone number allocation in Tanzania. For updates and regulations, visit their official website.
Recent and Upcoming Changes
In December 2023, TCRA announced updates to the national numbering plan, including new number ranges and signaling point code adjustments to meet growing demand.
Technical Considerations
Number Allocation and Management
Tanzania's phone numbers are allocated per a structured national numbering plan managed by TCRA, ensuring organized distribution and efficient resource use.
Special Cases
- Golden Numbers: Highly sought-after, often used for business or VIP services. Specific allocation rules may apply.
- Number Blocking: Some ranges may be blocked due to regulatory or security concerns.
ITU-T Standards
Tanzania adheres to ITU-T E.164 for international numbering and ITU-T E.123 for the notation of national and international numbers.
Technical Considerations for Developers
- Validation: Use the provided regex for Tanzanian phone number validation.
- Portability: Ensure systems handle mobile number portability for service continuity.
- Dialing Logic: Implement logic for domestic, international, and regional calls.