Phone Numbers in Belize: A Comprehensive Guide

Quick Reference

• Country: Belize
• Country Code: +501
• International Prefix: 00
• National Prefix: None
• Regulatory Authority: Public Utilities Commission (PUC) - Visit PUC Belize

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Overview

Discover the intricacies of Belize's telephone numbering plan. This guide covers phone number structures, dialing procedures, and regulatory insights, making it essential for telecom professionals, developers, and business operators navigating Belize's telecommunications landscape.

Number Structure

Belize employs a 7-digit national numbering plan without area codes for domestic calls. The format is straightforward:

• Country Code: +501
• Subscriber Number: 7 digits

Number Format by Type

Type	Format	Example	Regular Expression
Landline	2[02]XXXX	2020123	^2[02]\d{5}$
Mobile	6[0-35-7]XXXXX	6241234	^6[0-35-7]\d{5}$
Toll-Free	0800XXXXXXX	0800123456	^0800\d{7}$
Premium Rate	0900XXXXX	090012345	^0900\d{5}$
Emergency	911	911	^911$

Numbering Scheme Explanation

• Landline Numbers: Start with 2, followed by 0 or 2, and five additional digits.
• Mobile Numbers: Begin with 6, followed by a digit in [0-3, 5-7], and five more digits.
• Toll-Free Numbers: Use the prefix 0800 followed by seven digits.
• Premium Rate Numbers: Begin with 0900 and have five more digits.
• Emergency Numbers: 911 is the universal emergency number.

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Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

• Landline to Landline: Dial the 7-digit number directly (e.g., 2020123).
• Landline to Mobile: Dial the 7-digit mobile number directly (e.g., 6241234).
• Mobile to Mobile: Dial the 7-digit mobile number directly (e.g., 6241234).

International Calls

• Outgoing: Dial 00, the country code, and the subscriber number. For example, to call the US, dial 00 1 5551234567.
• Incoming: International callers should dial their access code, 501, and the 7-digit number (e.g., +501 6241234).

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Number Portability

Belize supports mobile number portability, allowing users to switch providers without changing numbers. This is overseen by the Public Utilities Commission.

Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

Operator	Service Type	Number Ranges
Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL)	Mobile (GSM)	+501 620XXXX, +501 621XXXX
SpeedNet Communications	Mobile (GSM)	+501 624XXXX, +501 625XXXX

ITU-T Recommendations

Belize adheres to the ITU-T E.164 standard, ensuring global interoperability and unique international number allocation.

Number Allocation and Management

The Public Utilities Commission manages the allocation and regulation of phone numbers, ensuring efficient use and infrastructure support.

Technical Restrictions and Special Cases

• Collect Calls: Not available to prepaid mobiles or payphones.
• Golden Numbers: No public information on easily memorable numbers.
• Number Blocking: No specific details provided.

Technical Considerations for Developers

• Validation: Ensure numbers match the formats and regex provided.
• Internationalization: Properly handle the +501 code for global compatibility.
• Portability: Consider number portability in systems using operator-specific ranges.