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Burundi Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide

Explore Burundi's phone number formats (+257): structure, dialing codes, & validation. Understand landline (22XXXXXXX) & mobile (79/71XXXXXXX) patterns. Includes regex for validation, E.164 compliance, & telecom operator details. Ideal for developers needing number parsing logic.

Phone number standards3 min read

Quick Reference

Overview

This guide offers a thorough exploration of Burundi's telephone numbering plan, detailing phone number structures, dialing procedures, and special considerations for developers and telecom professionals. Whether you're managing telecommunications systems, developing software that handles phone numbers, or conducting business in Burundi, this guide provides the essential information you need.

Number Structure

General Number Format

Burundi phone numbers adhere to the ITU-T E.164 standard, allowing for a maximum of 15 digits, including the country code. The general structure is:

Code
+257 XXXXXXXXX
  • +257: Country code for Burundi
  • XXXXXXXXX: Subscriber number (9 digits)

Number Formats by Type

TypeFormatExampleDescription
Landline Numbers22XXXXXXX223456789Landline numbers in Burundi typically start with the digit '22' followed by 7 digits.
Mobile Numbers79XXXXXXX, 71XXXXXXX791234567Mobile numbers generally start with '79' or '71' followed by 7 digits.
Toll-Free800XXXXXX800123456Toll-free numbers start with '800' and are followed by 6 digits.
Premium Services90XXXXXXX901234567Premium-rate services start with '90' and are followed by 7 digits.

Regular Expressions for Validation

Use the following regular expressions to validate Burundi phone numbers in your applications:

  • General Format: ^\+257\d{8,9}$
  • Landline Numbers: ^22\d{7}$
  • Mobile Numbers: ^(79|71)\d{7}$
  • Toll-Free Numbers: ^800\d{6}$
  • Premium Services: ^90\d{7}$

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

  • Landline to Landline: Dial the 9-digit number directly (e.g., 223456789).
  • Landline to Mobile: Dial the 9-digit mobile number directly (e.g., 791234567).
  • Mobile to Mobile: Dial the 9-digit mobile number directly (e.g., 791234567).

International Calls

  • Outgoing: Dial 00 (international prefix), followed by the country code, and then the subscriber number (e.g., 00 1 2025550123 for a call to the USA).
  • Incoming: Callers from abroad should dial +257 followed by the 9-digit local number (e.g., +257791234567).

Number Portability

As of the latest available data, Burundi does not support mobile number portability (MNP). This means that subscribers cannot retain their phone numbers when switching between mobile service providers.

Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

Burundi has several telecom operators, each assigned specific number ranges:

OperatorNumber RangeType
Econet Leo79XXXXXXXMobile
Lumitel71XXXXXXXMobile
Onatel22XXXXXXXLandline
Smart Mobile78XXXXXXXMobile

Recent or Upcoming Changes

There have been no recent changes to the numbering plan in Burundi as of the latest updates. Any future changes will be announced by the Agence de R??gulation et de Contr??le des T??l??communications (ARCT).

Number Allocation and Management

The Agence de R??gulation et de Contr??le des T??l??communications (ARCT) is responsible for the allocation and management of phone numbers in Burundi. They ensure compliance with ITU-T standards and manage the numbering resources efficiently.

Technical Restrictions and Special Cases

  • Golden Numbers: These are special numbers that may have a memorable sequence and are often sold at a premium.
  • Number Blocking: Certain number ranges may be blocked or reserved for special purposes, such as government use or emergency services.

Technical Considerations for Developers

When designing systems that handle Burundi phone numbers, consider the following:

  • Validation: Use the provided regular expressions to ensure that phone numbers are correctly formatted.
  • Internationalization: Always store phone numbers in the E.164 format to facilitate international calling and interoperability.
  • Error Handling: Implement robust error handling for scenarios where a user inputs an invalid or incomplete phone number.
  • Timezone Awareness: Burundi operates on Central Africa Time (CAT), UTC+2. Ensure your systems account for this when scheduling calls or sending time-sensitive messages.

Note: For the most up-to-date information on telecommunications regulations in Burundi, please consult the official website of the Agence de R??gulation et de Contr??le des T??l??communications (ARCT).

Frequently asked questions

The country code for Burundi is +257. This code is required when dialing Burundi numbers from international locations. It precedes the subscriber's 9-digit number.

Burundi landline numbers begin with '22' followed by seven digits. To call a landline domestically, dial the full 9-digit number directly. For international calls, dial the international prefix (00), the country code (+257), and then the 9-digit number.

You can validate Burundi mobile numbers using the regular expression ^(79|71)\d{7}$. Mobile numbers typically start with '79' or '71' followed by seven digits. Always store numbers in E.164 format for international compatibility.

Use the E.164 format, which includes the '+' sign, country code (+257), and the 9-digit subscriber number. For example, +257791234567. This format ensures compatibility with international telecommunications systems.

As of the last update, Burundi does not support mobile number portability (MNP). This means users cannot keep their existing number if they switch to a different mobile service provider.

Toll-free numbers in Burundi start with '800' followed by six digits, totaling nine digits. You can validate these numbers using the regular expression ^800\d{6}$.

Use the international prefix '00' when making calls from Burundi to other countries. Dial '00', then the country code of the destination, followed by the subscriber's number.

Premium-rate services in Burundi have numbers starting with '90' followed by seven digits. These numbers are usually used for services that incur higher charges than standard calls.

While the general format regex (^+257\d{8,9}$) is helpful for validation, you need the specific country code (+257) and the 9-digit subscriber number to make a call. The regex ensures the number structure is correct.

The telecom regulatory body in Burundi is the Agence de R??gulation et de Contr??le des T??l??communications (ARCT). Consult their official website for up-to-date information on regulations and numbering plans.

According to the ITU-T E.164 standard, Burundi phone numbers can have a maximum of 15 digits, including the country code (+257). Subscriber numbers have nine digits.

For domestic calls within Burundi, dial the full 9-digit subscriber number directly, regardless of whether you're calling from a landline to a mobile or vice-versa.