Understanding Austria's Phone Numbering System
Quick Reference Guide
- Country: Austria
- Country Code: +43
- International Prefix: 00
- National Prefix: 0
- Regulatory Authority: Rundfunk und Telekom Regulierungs-GmbH (RTR)
Overview of Austria's Telephone Numbering Plan
Austria's telephone numbering system is meticulously organized to facilitate both domestic and international communication. This guide delves into the structure of phone numbers, dialing procedures, number portability, and regulatory standards, providing essential insights for telecom professionals, developers, and businesses.
Numbering Plan Structure
General Number Structure
Austrian phone numbers follow a specific format:
- Country Code: +43
- National (Significant) Number: Comprises an area or service code and a subscriber number.
- Area/Service Code: 1-4 digits
- Subscriber Number: 4-12 digits
Number Format Breakdown
| Type of Number | Format Example | Regex Pattern | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geographic Numbers | 01 234 5678 | ^0[1-9]\d{3,11}$ | Geographic numbers with area codes ranging from 1 to 4 digits. |
| Mobile Numbers | 0664 123 4567 | ^06[56789]\d{4,10}$ | Mobile numbers typically start with 06, followed by 4-10 digit subscriber numbers. |
| Toll-Free Numbers | 0800 123 456 | ^0800\d{6,10}$ | Toll-free numbers start with 0800 and are 10-12 digits in length. |
| Premium Rate | 0900 123 4567 | ^09[0369]\d{6,10}$ | Premium rate numbers start with 0900, 0903, etc., and are 10-12 digits. |
| Shared Cost | 0810 123 456 | ^0810\d{6,10}$ | Shared cost numbers start with 0810 and are 10-12 digits in length. |
Number Format Examples
Geographic Numbers
| Area Code | Example Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | 01 234 5678 | Vienna |
| 0316 | 0316 123 456 | Graz |
| 0463 | 0463 123 4567 | Klagenfurt |
Mobile Numbers
| Prefix | Example Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0664 | 0664 123 4567 | A1 Telekom Austria |
| 0699 | 0699 123 4567 | Magenta Telekom |
Toll-Free Numbers
| Prefix | Example Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0800 | 0800 123 456 | Toll-Free Service |
Premium Rate Numbers
| Prefix | Example Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0900 | 0900 123 4567 | Premium Rate Service |
Shared Cost Numbers
| Prefix | Example Number | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0810 | 0810 123 456 | Shared Cost Service |
Dialing Procedures
Domestic Calls
- Landline to Landline: Dial the full number, including the area code (e.g., 0316 123 456).
- Landline to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly (e.g., 0664 123 4567).
- Mobile to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly (e.g., 0699 123 4567).
International Calls
- Outgoing: Dial the international prefix (00), followed by the country code, area code, and subscriber number. For example, to call a number in Germany:
00 49 30 1234567. - Incoming: Callers from abroad should dial +43 followed by the area code (without the leading 0) and the subscriber number. For example, to call Vienna from abroad:
+43 1 234 5678.
Number Portability
Austria supports number portability across all major telecom operators, enabling subscribers to retain their numbers when switching providers. Introduced in 2004 for fixed-line numbers and in 2007 for mobile numbers, this follows the European Union's regulatory framework.
Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges
| Operator | Prefixes | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A1 Telekom Austria | 0664, 0650 | Largest operator, offering mobile and fixed-line services. |
| Magenta Telekom | 0676, 0699 | Major mobile and internet service provider. |
| Drei (Hutchison) | 0660, 0680 | Mobile network operator. |
| Telekom Austria | 05 | Fixed-line services. |
ITU-T Recommendations
Austria adheres to the ITU-T E.164 standard for international telephone numbering, ensuring all phone numbers are structured to a maximum of 15 digits, including the country code.
Number Allocation and Management
The Austrian telecommunications numbering plan is managed by the Rundfunk und Telekom Regulierungs-GmbH (RTR). The RTR oversees number range allocation, compliance with standards, and number portability management.
Technical Considerations
Regular Expressions for Validation
Here are some example regular expressions for validating Austrian phone numbers:
// Geographic Numbers
/^0[1-9]\d{3,11}$/
// Mobile Numbers
/^06[56789]\d{4,10}$/
// Toll-Free Numbers
/^0800\d{6,10}$/
// Premium Rate Numbers
/^09[0369]\d{6,10}$/
// Shared Cost Numbers
/^0810\d{6,10}$/
Special Cases
- Golden Numbers: Some operators offer "golden numbers" (easily memorable numbers) for a premium.
- Number Blocking: Generally managed at the operator level, based on service agreements with customers.
For the most up-to-date information on Austria's telecommunications regulations and numbering plan, please consult the official website of the national telecommunications authority, RTR.
Conclusion
Austria's telephone numbering system is well-structured and adheres to international standards, ensuring reliability for both domestic and international communication. Understanding these technical details is crucial for telecom professionals and businesses operating in or with Austria.