Frequently Asked Questions
The area code for Saint Kitts and Nevis is 869. This area code is part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), which means Saint Kitts and Nevis shares the +1 country code with several other countries, including the US and Canada.
Use the E.164 international format: +1 869 NXX XXXX, where NXX XXXX represents the seven-digit subscriber number. This format ensures consistent handling and portability across systems.
Use regular expressions to verify number formats. The article provides specific regex patterns for landlines, mobile, toll-free, and premium-rate numbers, along with a generic pattern for an initial check. It's essential to keep these updated based on NTRC guidelines.
Saint Kitts and Nevis uses the NANP, established in the 1940s, for streamlined call routing and direct dialing capabilities with other NANP countries. Sharing the +1 country code simplifies integration within the NANP region.
Query the NTRC's MNP database to determine the correct carrier before routing calls. The article provides sample JavaScript code demonstrating how to implement this. Remember to handle potential database lookup failures gracefully.
Regularly check the NTRC website for updates to regulations and best practices, especially for new number ranges, changes to MNP procedures, and compliance requirements. This ensures you adhere to current standards.
Landline numbers in Saint Kitts and Nevis follow this format: +1 869 2XX XXXX, where 2XX represents the exchange code and XXXX is the subscriber number. The article provides an expanded regex range based on recent allocations.
Mobile numbers generally follow the format +1 869 66X XXXX. However, additional prefixes now include 488, 489, 556-558, 760, and 762-767. The article provides an updated regex pattern for mobile number validation.
Always store numbers in the E.164 international format (+1869XXXXXXXX) for consistent handling and portability across different systems and carriers. Format numbers for display purposes only, after storage.
Yes, caching MNP lookups reduces latency and improves performance. Implement a reasonable Time-To-Live (TTL) on cached data to maintain accuracy and reflect recent changes in carrier assignments due to MNP.
Use the America/St_Kitts time zone for time-sensitive operations related to Saint Kitts and Nevis phone numbers. This ensures accurate time representation in applications and systems.
Saint Kitts and Nevis has multiple carriers. Your system needs to handle routing based on the correct carrier information, which can be determined via MNP database queries. Implement appropriate error handling and fallback mechanisms if carrier information isn't available.
Saint Kitts and Nevis Phone Numbers: Area Code 869 Format & Validation
Area code 869 serves Saint Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean. This complete guide explains how to format, validate, and implement 869 phone numbers in your applications, covering NANP structure, dialing instructions, regex validation patterns, mobile number portability, and regulatory compliance.
What is the 869 Area Code? Location and NANP Basics
Saint Kitts and Nevis uses area code 869 within the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), sharing the +1 country code with the United States, Canada, and other Caribbean nations. This simplifies integration with other NANP countries but introduces specific formatting and portability considerations.
Saint Kitts and Nevis received area code 869 on October 1, 1996, when it split from area code 809. The transition completed on March 31, 1997. Somos administers the NANP (contract awarded December 1, 2020) and assigns unique three-digit area codes to regions and seven-digit numbers within each area.
Practical Implications for Developers:
Dialing Instructions:
869 Phone Number Format and Structure
All Saint Kitts and Nevis numbers follow the NANP structure:
Number types:
Emergency and Special Service Numbers:
Note: Block N11 service codes (211–911) from standard number validation. These codes are reserved for special services and cannot be assigned to subscribers.
How to Validate 869 Phone Numbers: Regex Patterns and Best Practices
Use these regular expressions for validation:
Important Limitations:
Common Validation Errors to Handle:
Check the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) website for the latest number range allocations. For more information on phone number formats and validation, see our guide on E.164 phone number format.
Implementation Guide for Developers
Best Practices for Phone Number Handling
Storage: Store numbers in E.164 international format (+1869XXXXXXXX) for consistency and portability. Format for display only.
Validation: Implement validation using the regex patterns above. Sanitize input by removing non-digit characters (except +) before validation.
Mobile Number Portability (MNP): Mobile Number Portability lets users keep their numbers when switching carriers. Saint Kitts and Nevis implemented MNP on June 3, 2019 as part of a regional ECTEL initiative (source: ECTEL). Query the NTRC's MNP database to determine correct routing.
MNP Implementation Details:
Carrier Integration: Saint Kitts and Nevis has multiple carriers operating in the market:
Handle routing based on portability and carrier information. Contact carriers directly for technical integration requirements and API access.
Error Handling: Implement error handling for validation failures, MNP lookup errors, and carrier integration issues.
Regulatory Compliance Requirements
Regulatory Authority: The National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) operates under the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL), which provides regulatory oversight for Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Key Compliance Requirements:
Number Allocation: Request number ranges from the NTRC through their official numbering framework. Maintain accurate records of assignments.
MNP Compliance: Implement MNP database queries and update routing tables to comply with mobile number portability requirements mandated by ECTEL regulations (effective June 3, 2019).
Technical Requirements: Follow E.164 international formatting standards and implement error handling for invalid or unassigned numbers.
Data Protection and Privacy: Comply with the Data Protection Act, 2018 (enacted May 23, 2018, effective date set by ministerial order):
Telecommunications Act: Comply with the Telecommunications Act Chapter 16.06 governing network confidentiality and spectrum management.
Check the NTRC website (https://www.ntrc.kn/) and ECTEL (https://www.ectel.int) regularly for regulatory updates, consultations, and numbering plan changes.
Advanced Considerations
Caching: Cache MNP lookups to reduce latency. Implement a Time-To-Live (TTL) of 24–48 hours to balance performance with data freshness, as porting typically completes within 1–3 business days.
Cache Invalidation Strategies:
Time Zone Handling: Saint Kitts and Nevis uses Atlantic Standard Time (AST) year-round with UTC offset of -4 hours (source: TimeAndDate.com). Daylight Saving Time is NOT observed. Use the IANA time zone identifier
America/St_Kitts
for time-sensitive operations such as scheduled messages, call logging, and billing cycles.Testing: Test thoroughly for various scenarios, including valid and invalid numbers, MNP changes, and edge cases.
Recommended Test Cases:
Example Implementation Snippet
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the area code for Saint Kitts and Nevis?
The area code for Saint Kitts and Nevis is 869. This code is part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) and uses the +1 country code. Saint Kitts and Nevis received area code 869 on October 1, 1996, when it split from the original 809 area code.
How do I dial a Saint Kitts and Nevis number from the US?
To call Saint Kitts and Nevis from the United States, dial 1-869 followed by the seven-digit local number. For example: 1-869-555-1234. Since both countries are part of the NANP, no international dialing prefix is needed.
What is the country code for Saint Kitts and Nevis?
The country code for Saint Kitts and Nevis is +1, which it shares with the United States, Canada, and other NANP countries. When dialing internationally from non-NANP countries, use +1 869 followed by the seven-digit number. For more details on international dialing and phone number lookup, see our related guides.
How can I validate an 869 phone number?
Use regex patterns to validate the format:
^\+1869\d{7}$
for basic validation. For production systems, query the NTRC database to verify active number assignments. Exclude N11 service codes.What mobile prefixes are used in Saint Kitts and Nevis?
Common mobile prefixes include 66X, 488, 489, 556-558, and 760-767 within area code 869.
Does Saint Kitts and Nevis support mobile number portability?
Yes. Mobile Number Portability (MNP) launched on June 3, 2019. Implement MNP database queries to ensure correct carrier routing when users switch providers. Porting typically completes within 1–3 business days for both prepaid and postpaid customers.
What time zone is area code 869?
Area code 869 operates in Atlantic Standard Time (AST) with a UTC-4 offset year-round. Saint Kitts and Nevis does not observe Daylight Saving Time. Use the
America/St_Kitts
IANA time zone identifier for accurate scheduling and time-sensitive operations.What emergency number should I dial in Saint Kitts and Nevis?
Dial 911 for all emergency services (police, fire, ambulance). This is the same as in the United States and other NANP countries.
Resources
This guide provides a foundation for working with Saint Kitts and Nevis phone numbers. Check the NTRC and ECTEL websites regularly for telecommunications regulations and numbering plan changes.