Frequently Asked Questions
The country code for Tokelau is +690. This code is required when making international calls to Tokelau from any other country. It precedes the local subscriber number and follows the international exit code.
To call a Tokelau number from another country, dial the international exit code (00 or +), followed by 690 (Tokelau's country code), and then the local number. For example, to call the number 221234 in Tokelau, you would dial +690221234.
Domestic calls within Tokelau are made by directly dialing the recipient's number. No prefixes or area codes are needed, regardless of whether the call is between landlines or mobiles. This simplicity is due to Tokelau's small size and single telecommunications provider.
Tokelau's international dialing prefix is 00. This prefix is used when making international calls from Tokelau to other countries. It precedes the country code of the destination you are calling.
Tokelau phone numbers generally follow a 5-8 digit format. For international calls, the E.164 format (+690XXXXXXX) is recommended. The numbers are allocated based on the three atolls (Atafu, Nukunonu, and Fakaofo) and service categories (landline, mobile, government, etc.).
The Office of the Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau (OCOG), along with TELETOK (Telecommunications Tokelau Corporation), regulates telecommunications. TELETOK is the sole provider of both fixed and wireless services in the territory.
Tokelau does not have number portability because it has a single telecom provider, TELETOK. This simplifies number management and infrastructure development, as there's no need to transfer numbers between different carriers.
Tokelau adheres to the ITU-T E.164 recommendation. This international standard defines the format for international telephone numbers, ensuring global interoperability.
A regular expression like `^\+690[2-4,7][2-7]\d{3,6}$` can validate Tokelau numbers in international format. It checks for the country code (+690), valid prefixes based on service and atoll, and the appropriate length of the local number.
The atoll can be identified from the two digits immediately following the country code (+690). For example, 22 or 72 indicates Atafu, 3xx/73x Nukunonu, and 4xx/74x Fakaofo. This information is crucial for accurate call routing.
Developers building applications for Tokelau should stay in contact with OCOG/TELETOK for updates on number allocation policies and technical requirements. Tokelau's system is evolving, so staying informed is vital for compliance.
Atafu uses 2xx and 72x, Nukunonu uses 3xx and 73x, and Fakaofo uses 4xx and 74x. The 7xx range signifies mobile services while the 2xx, 3xx, and 4xx ranges are primarily used for landlines, though some can be used for specific services like government or emergency numbers.
Each atoll in Tokelau has designated prefixes (2xx, 3xx, 4xx, 72x, 73x, 74x) that broadly categorize services like landlines and mobile. Within these, more specific ranges denote services like residential (22x), business (23x), government (41x), emergency (31x), and others.
Ensure compliance by using the E.164 format (+690XXXXXXX), supporting variable number lengths (5-8 digits), validating service categories based on the first digit after the country code, and implementing geographic routing based on the atoll prefixes.
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Tokelau Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide
This guide provides a deep dive into Tokelau's telecommunications system, offering developers and telecom professionals the essential information needed to build compliant and effective solutions. We'll cover everything from basic number formats and dialing procedures to advanced topics like international dialing integration and ITU-T compliance.
Understanding Tokelau's Telecommunications Landscape
Tokelau, a New Zealand territory composed of three coral atolls???Atafu, Nukunonu, and Fakaofo???presents unique telecommunications challenges. With a population of approximately 1,500, the territory relies on a specialized infrastructure managed by TELETOK, also known as the Telecommunications Tokelau Corporation. This government-owned corporation is the sole provider of fixed and wireless services, operating a 4G LTE tower on each atoll, providing both VoLTE and data services over B28 (700 MHz) since May 2017. You'll find that this single-provider system influences many aspects of number allocation and service provision.
Quick Reference for Developers
Before we delve into the details, here's a quick overview of key information you'll need when working with Tokelau phone numbers:
Geographic Number Allocation
Tokelau's numbering system is designed to reflect its unique geography, with each atoll having dedicated number ranges. This allows for efficient resource allocation and maintains a distinct identity for each region.
Regional Distribution and Service Categories
The following table outlines the primary number ranges for each atoll:
Within these ranges, a hierarchical structure further categorizes services:
When designing your systems, you should validate both the service category and geographic allocation to ensure accurate routing. This is crucial for directing calls and messages to the correct destination within Tokelau.
Dialing Procedures: A Step-by-Step Guide
Understanding Tokelau's dialing procedures is fundamental for ensuring seamless communication. The system is designed for simplicity, reflecting the territory's small size and unified telecommunications infrastructure.
Domestic Calls: Keeping it Simple
Domestic calls within Tokelau are straightforward, utilizing a direct dialing system. You can directly dial the number, whether landline or mobile, without any area codes or prefixes. This applies to calls between all three atolls.
Remember, due to Tokelau's compact nature, no regional codes are necessary. This simplifies domestic dialing significantly.
International Calls: Connecting with the World
International calls follow standard procedures, incorporating the international prefix and country codes.
Outgoing International Calls:
00
1
for USA).Example:
00 + 1 + 212 + 5551234
(calling New York, USA)Incoming International Calls:
+690
Example:
+690 47247036
For reliable international connectivity, always normalize phone numbers to the E.164 format (+690XXXXXXX) in your applications. This ensures compatibility with global telecommunications standards.
International Dialing Integration: Best Practices for Developers
When integrating Tokelau's international dialing system into your applications, consider these best practices:
Format Validation
Use regular expressions to validate international number formats.
This code snippet provides a regular expression that checks for the correct country code, initial digits based on service type and atoll, and the appropriate length of the local number. Remember to test your validation against various valid and invalid inputs to ensure its robustness.
Geographic Routing Logic
Implement logic to determine the atoll based on the number prefix.
This revised code snippet now correctly extracts the two digits after the country code and maps them to the appropriate atoll, including mobile prefixes. Consider adding error handling for invalid prefixes.
ITU-T Compliance Framework: Ensuring Global Interoperability
Tokelau adheres to ITU-T E.164 recommendations, which are crucial for global interoperability. As a developer, understanding these recommendations is essential for building compliant systems. The E.164 standard, titled "The international public telecommunication numbering plan," defines a global numbering plan for telephony and some data networks. It specifies a maximum length of 15 digits and structures numbers with a country code (1-3 digits) followed by the subscriber number (up to 12 digits). This ensures consistent number formatting for international calls.
Technical Implementation Considerations
Here are some key considerations for implementing ITU-T compliant systems:
This function cleans the input by removing non-numeric characters and adds the +690 country code if it's missing. This ensures all processed numbers conform to the E.164 standard. You might want to add further validation to check for valid number lengths after cleaning.
This updated code snippet now correctly extracts the first digit of the subscriber number (after the country code) to determine the service category. This is important for routing and handling calls appropriately.
Number Portability and Telecom Operators
Currently, Tokelau does not support number portability. This is due to the single-provider system managed by TELETOK/OCOG. This centralized approach simplifies number management and infrastructure development. If you're developing applications for Tokelau, it's recommended to stay in contact with OCOG/TELETOK for updates on number allocation policies and technical requirements. This will ensure your systems remain compliant with any changes in the future. Tokelau's telecommunications system, while relatively simple, is constantly evolving. Staying informed about these developments is crucial for building robust and future-proof applications.
Conclusion: Building Effective Telecommunications Solutions for Tokelau
This guide has provided you with a comprehensive understanding of Tokelau's phone number system. By following the best practices and guidelines outlined here, you can develop applications and systems that are compliant, efficient, and tailored to the specific needs of this unique territory. Remember to prioritize clear and concise communication with the user, validate inputs thoroughly, and stay updated on any changes in Tokelau's telecommunications landscape.