Mauritius Phone Numbers: Complete Format & Validation Guide (+230)

Learn how to format and validate Mauritius phone numbers using the +230 country code. This comprehensive guide covers E.164 formatting rules, validation patterns for mobile and landline numbers, and regulatory requirements from the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA). Whether you're calling Mauritius from abroad or implementing phone number validation, master the 8-digit mobile format and 7-digit landline structure for seamless communication.

Quick Reference

Numbering System Overview

Mauritius adheres to ITU-T Recommendation E.164, ensuring global compatibility. The system has regulatory support for mobile number portability (MNP), though full implementation remains pending as of 2024. Don't assume MNP is active – verify the current status with ICTA before implementing carrier-switching features. Check ICTA regulations regularly for compliance updates.

Important: Mauritius migrated from 7-digit to 8-digit mobile numbers on 01 September 2013 at 00:00 hrs local time (ICTA 8-Digit Implementation). Mobile numbers now use 8 digits, while fixed (landline) numbers remain 7 digits. Treat legacy 7-digit mobile numbers from pre-2013 as invalid.

Key Considerations for Developers:

• E.164 Formatting: Store and process all numbers in international format (+230...).
• Mobile Number Portability: MNP is not fully operational as of 2024. Prefix-based carrier identification remains reliable until MNP becomes active.
• ICTA Compliance: Monitor current regulations and incorporate necessary changes.
• Comprehensive Validation: Validate both format and number type, accounting for different lengths (7 digits for fixed, 8 digits for mobile).

Number Format Specifications

Mauritian phone numbers follow a structured format:

+230 [Number Type Prefix] [Subscriber Number]

The Number Type Prefix indicates whether the number is geographic (landline), mobile, or special service.

Geographic (Landline) Numbers

• Format: +230 2XXX XXX (7 digits after country code)
• Validation Regex: /^2\d{6}$/ (after removing country code)
• Example: +230 212 3456
• Usage: Fixed-line services throughout Mauritius. The leading digit indicates region: 2 for northern, 4 for central, 6 for southern.
• Special Regions:
  • Rodrigues: +230 831 XXXX to +230 833 XXXX
  • Agalega: +230 814 XXXX

Mobile Numbers

Mauritius has three mobile operators: Cellplus Mobile Communications Ltd (my.t, formerly Mauritius Telecom/Orange), Emtel Ltd, and Mahanagar Telephone Mauritius Ltd (MTML, Chili Mobile).

• Format: +230 5XXX XXXX (8 digits after country code)
• Validation Regex: /^5\d{7}$/ (after removing country code)
• Example: +230 5912 3456
• Carrier Identification: Until MNP is fully implemented, prefixes reliably identify the original carrier (ICTA Mobile Prefixes):
  • Cellplus (my.t): 525x, 526x, 5471, 550x, 553x, 570x, 575x-583x, 5875-5878, 590x-592x, 594x, 700x, 733x
  • Emtel: 5421-5423, 5428-5429, 543x-549x, 551x, 571x-574x, 584x-585x, 593x, 597x-598x, 701x, 703x-704x, 730x
  • MTML (Chili): 527x-529x, 552x, 586x, 5871, 588x-589x, 595x-596x, 702x, 731x
• Special Allocations:
  • Tourist mobile numbers: +230 70XX XXXX to +230 72XX XXXX (8 digits)
  • M2M (Machine-to-Machine): +230 73XX XXXX to +230 79XX XXXX (8 digits) – Requires special registration with ICTA per SIM Registration Regulations 2023

Special Service Numbers

• Toll-Free:
  • Format: +230 800 XXXX (7 digits total after country code)
  • Validation Regex: /^800\d{4}$/ (after removing country code)
  • Example: +230 800 1234
  • Cost: Free for callers from all networks (landline and mobile). Businesses pay a flat rate per call (Connect-EZ Toll-Free Guide).
  • Registration: Apply through ICTA for allocation.
• Premium Rate:
  • Format: +230 30X XXXX (7 digits total after country code)
  • Validation Regex: /^30\d{5}$/ (after removing country code)
  • Example: +230 305 1234
  • Cost: Callers pay premium rates (above standard call rates). Requires an ICTA license for content or service provision.
• International Freephone Service:
  • Inbound IFS: +230 801 XXXX
  • Outbound IFS: +230 802 XXXX
• Internet Telephony: +230 320 XXXX
• Remote Dial-up: +230 318 XXXX
• SMS Value Added Services: +230 319 XXXX
• Virtual Telephony/Fax: +230 39X XXXX
• Other Special Services: ICTA may allocate additional special service prefixes. Check ICTA documentation for current allocations.

How to Call Mauritius from Abroad

To call a Mauritius phone number from another country, follow these steps:

1. Dial your country's exit code: Most countries use 00, the USA/Canada use 011, Australia uses 0011
2. Enter the Mauritius country code: 230
3. Dial the local number: 7 digits for landlines, 8 digits for mobile numbers

Example calling +230 5912 3456 from different countries:

• From USA/Canada: 011 230 5912 3456
• From UK/Europe: 00 230 5912 3456
• From Australia: 0011 230 5912 3456
• From mobile/VoIP apps: +230 5912 3456 (the + symbol replaces exit codes)

Implementation Best Practices

1. Normalization

Normalize phone numbers to E.164 format before storage or validation to ensure consistency and simplify processing.

Important: Mauritius has no national prefix (trunk code). Users dialing locally don't prefix numbers with '0'. If users enter a leading '0' by habit, treat it as an error or strip it carefully.

function normalizeMauritiusNumber(phoneNumber) {
    // Remove all non-numeric characters
    let normalized = phoneNumber.replace(/\D/g, '');

    // Add country code if missing
    if (!normalized.startsWith('230')) {
        if (normalized.startsWith('00230')) {
          normalized = normalized.replace('00230', '230');
        } else if (normalized.startsWith('0')) {
          // Mauritius has no trunk prefix, but handle erroneous leading 0
          normalized = '230' + normalized.substring(1);
        } else {
          normalized = '230' + normalized;
        }
    }

    // Validate length: 230 + 7 digits (landline) or 230 + 8 digits (mobile)
    if (normalized.length !== 10 && normalized.length !== 11) {
        throw new Error('Invalid number length: must be 10 digits (landline) or 11 digits (mobile) including country code');
    }

    return '+' + normalized;
}

2. Validation

Implement robust validation to prevent invalid numbers from entering your system. Validate on both the client side (for user experience) and server side (for security).

function validateMauritiusNumber(phoneNumber) {
    const normalized = normalizeMauritiusNumber(phoneNumber);
    const numberWithoutCountryCode = normalized.slice(4); // Remove +230

    // Check number type and apply appropriate validation
    switch(numberWithoutCountryCode[0]) {
        case '2': return /^2\d{6}$/.test(numberWithoutCountryCode); // Fixed 7 digits
        case '4': return /^4\d{6}$/.test(numberWithoutCountryCode); // Fixed 7 digits
        case '6': return /^6\d{6}$/.test(numberWithoutCountryCode); // Fixed 7 digits
        case '5': return /^5\d{7}$/.test(numberWithoutCountryCode); // Mobile 8 digits
        case '7': return /^7[0-9]\d{6}$/.test(numberWithoutCountryCode); // Mobile 8 digits (tourist/M2M)
        case '8': {
            // Handle various 8xx ranges
            if (numberWithoutCountryCode.startsWith('800')) {
                return /^800\d{4}$/.test(numberWithoutCountryCode); // Toll-free 7 digits
            }
            if (numberWithoutCountryCode.startsWith('801') || numberWithoutCountryCode.startsWith('802')) {
                return /^80[12]\d{4}$/.test(numberWithoutCountryCode); // IFS 7 digits
            }
            if (numberWithoutCountryCode.startsWith('814')) {
                return /^814\d{4}$/.test(numberWithoutCountryCode); // Agalega 7 digits
            }
            if (numberWithoutCountryCode.startsWith('83')) {
                return /^83[1-3]\d{4}$/.test(numberWithoutCountryCode); // Rodrigues 7 digits
            }
            return false;
        }
        case '3': {
            // Handle 3xx ranges
            if (numberWithoutCountryCode.startsWith('30')) {
                return /^30\d{5}$/.test(numberWithoutCountryCode); // Premium rate 7 digits
            }
            if (numberWithoutCountryCode.startsWith('318') || numberWithoutCountryCode.startsWith('319') || numberWithoutCountryCode.startsWith('320')) {
                return /^3[12]\d{5}$/.test(numberWithoutCountryCode); // Special services 7 digits
            }
            if (numberWithoutCountryCode.startsWith('39')) {
                return /^39\d{5}$/.test(numberWithoutCountryCode); // Virtual services 7 digits
            }
            return false;
        }
        default: return false;
    }
}

3. Number Portability

Current Status (2024): Mobile Number Portability (MNP) has been under regulatory discussion since the early 2000s but is not fully operational as of 2024. Use prefix-based carrier identification with the official ICTA prefix allocations.

When MNP becomes active:

• Use a reliable MNP database or API to determine the correct carrier for mobile numbers.
• Update your MNP data regularly (typical porting takes 3 – 5 working days in MNP-enabled markets).
• Implement caching with appropriate TTL (recommended: 1 – 4 hours) to balance accuracy and performance.
• Don't rely on number prefixes alone for routing or billing decisions.

Monitoring MNP Status: Check ICTA regulatory updates for announcements regarding MNP implementation.

4. Error Handling

Implement comprehensive error handling to manage invalid numbers and other potential issues.

function handlePhoneNumberError(number, error) {
    const errorTypes = {
        INVALID_FORMAT: 'Invalid number format',
        INVALID_LENGTH: 'Number must be 7 digits (landline) or 8 digits (mobile) after country code',
        UNSUPPORTED_TYPE: 'Unsupported number type',
        UNSUPPORTED_PREFIX: 'Number prefix not allocated by ICTA',
        PORTING_IN_PROGRESS: 'Number currently being ported',
        DATABASE_ERROR: 'Error accessing portability database'
    };

    // Log error internally for monitoring
    console.error(`Phone number validation error: ${error} for number ${number}`);

    // Return user-friendly message
    return errorTypes[error] || 'Unable to process phone number';
}

Technical Considerations for Scalability

Database Storage

Store phone numbers in normalized format (E.164) for efficient querying and processing. Include fields for number type, carrier (for mobile numbers), and validation status.

CREATE TABLE phone_numbers (
    id SERIAL PRIMARY KEY,
    raw_number VARCHAR(20),  -- Store original input for audit trail
    normalized_number VARCHAR(15) NOT NULL UNIQUE, -- Store E.164 formatted number
    number_type VARCHAR(10) NOT NULL, -- 'geographic', 'mobile', 'toll-free', 'premium', 'special'
    carrier VARCHAR(50),     -- For mobile numbers: 'Cellplus', 'Emtel', 'MTML'
    last_validated TIMESTAMP DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP,
    created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP,
    INDEX idx_normalized (normalized_number),
    INDEX idx_carrier (carrier),
    INDEX idx_type (number_type)
);

Privacy Considerations: Phone numbers are personal data under data protection regulations. Implement retention policies, encryption at rest, and access controls. Consult ICTA's Data Protection guidelines and the Mauritius Data Protection Act 2017 for compliance requirements.

Caching

Implement caching for MNP lookups (when available) and validation results to improve performance. Set appropriate TTL values based on data change frequency.

const CACHE_CONFIG = {
    portability: {
        ttl: 3600, // 1 hour (adjust when MNP becomes active)
        checkPeriod: 600 // 10 minutes
    },
    validation: {
        ttl: 86400 // 24 hours for format validation
    },
    carrierPrefix: {
        ttl: 2592000 // 30 days (prefix allocations change infrequently)
    }
};

// Example: Redis caching implementation
async function getCachedCarrier(phoneNumber) {
    const cacheKey = `carrier:${phoneNumber}`;
    let carrier = await redis.get(cacheKey);

    if (!carrier) {
        carrier = await lookupCarrierFromPrefix(phoneNumber);
        await redis.setex(cacheKey, CACHE_CONFIG.carrierPrefix.ttl, carrier);
    }

    return carrier;
}

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the country code for Mauritius?

The country code for Mauritius is +230. All international calls to Mauritius require this prefix. To call Mauritius from abroad, dial your country's exit code (e.g., 011 from the USA), then 230, followed by the 7-digit landline or 8-digit mobile number. From mobile devices, simply dial +230 followed by the local number.

How do I format a Mauritius mobile number?

Mauritius mobile numbers use 8 digits after the country code. The standard format is +230 5XXX XXXX (for standard mobile) or +230 7XXX XXXX (for tourist/M2M numbers).

Example: +230 5912 3456

From the USA: 011 230 5912 3456 From mobile/VoIP: +230 5912 3456

What is the difference between Mauritius mobile and landline numbers?

Mobile numbers: 8 digits starting with 5 or 7 (format: +230 5XXX XXXX or +230 7XXX XXXX) Landline numbers: 7 digits starting with 2, 4, or 6 (format: +230 2XX XXXX, +230 4XX XXXX, or +230 6XX XXXX)

This length difference helps distinguish mobile from landline numbers at a glance.

Does Mauritius support mobile number portability?

Mobile number portability (MNP) has been planned by ICTA but is not fully operational as of 2024. Until MNP is implemented, carrier identification by prefix remains reliable. Monitor ICTA announcements for updates.

What is the E.164 format for Mauritius numbers?

E.164 format for Mauritius numbers is +230 followed by the subscriber number (7 digits for landline, 8 digits for mobile). Always store numbers in E.164 format for international compatibility and simplified processing.

When did Mauritius migrate to 8-digit mobile numbers?

Mauritius migrated from 7-digit to 8-digit mobile numbers on 01 September 2013 at 00:00 hrs local time, following the ICTA Decision of 11 February 2013. This change increased mobile numbering capacity and separated mobile from fixed numbers.

How do I validate a Mauritius phone number with regex?

Use different regex patterns based on number type after removing the +230 country code:

Mobile numbers (5 prefix): /^5\d{7}$/ (8 digits) Landline numbers (2/4/6 prefix): /^[246]\d{6}$/ (7 digits) Toll-free numbers: /^800\d{4}$/ (7 digits) Tourist/M2M mobile (7 prefix): /^7[0-9]\d{6}$/ (8 digits)

For complete E.164 validation including country code: /^\+230(5\d{7}|[246]\d{6}|7[0-9]\d{6}|800\d{4})$/

What are Mauritius tourist mobile numbers?

Tourist mobile numbers use the format +230 70XX XXXX to +230 72XX XXXX (8 digits after country code). These special allocations for visitors follow the 8-digit mobile format.

What emergency numbers work in Mauritius?

Primary emergency numbers: 999 (Police), 995 (Fire), 114 (Ambulance), 115 (Fire & Rescue). Alternative: 112 (Police). All numbers are accessible from any landline or mobile phone.

How do I handle Mauritius special service numbers?

Special service numbers include toll-free (+230 800 XXXX), premium rate (+230 30X XXXX), and internet telephony (+230 320 XXXX). All use 7-digit format after country code. Validate separately from standard mobile/landline.

Who are the mobile carriers in Mauritius?

Mauritius has three mobile operators: Cellplus Mobile Communications Ltd (my.t, formerly Mauritius Telecom), Emtel Ltd, and Mahanagar Telephone Mauritius Ltd (MTML, Chili Mobile). As of 2024, Emtel holds the fastest network award according to Speedtest.

How many digits is a Mauritius phone number?

Mauritius phone numbers have either 7 digits (landlines) or 8 digits (mobile numbers) after the +230 country code. The total length including the country code is 10-11 digits when formatted in E.164 standard (+230 XXX XXXX or +230 XXXX XXXX).

Regulatory Landscape and Future Changes

ICTA governs the telecommunications sector in Mauritius, maintaining the numbering plan and ensuring compliance with international standards. Monitor the official ICTA website and subscribe to regulatory announcements for updates.

Historical Context: The migration from 7-digit to 8-digit mobile numbers was implemented on 01 September 2013 at 00:00 hrs following the ICTA Decision of 11 February 2013. This change increased mobile numbering capacity and improved system coherence by separating mobile numbers from fixed numbers.

Current Developments (2024):

• SIM registration regulations updated in 2023 require all SIM cards (including M2M SIMs) to be registered with valid identification.
• MNP implementation remains under regulatory consideration but not yet deployed.
• 5G services launched by multiple operators (Emtel, my.t).

Check the official ICTA Numbering Plan documentation for current information: ICTA Telecom Numbering

Additional Resources

• ICTA Official Website: https://icta.mu/
• ICTA Mobile Prefix Allocations: https://www.icta.mu/mobile-prefixes
• ICTA Telecom Numbering: https://www.icta.mu/telecom-numbering/
• ICTA SIM Registration Regulations 2023: https://www.icta.mu/documents/2023/07/sim_registration_reg_2023.pdf
• ITU-T E.164 Specification
• E.164 Format Guide