Understanding Phone Numbers in Switzerland

Quick Reference Guide

• Country: Switzerland
• Country Code: +41
• International Prefix: 00
• National Prefix: 0
• Numbering Plan Type: Closed
• Regulatory Authority: Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM)

Comprehensive Overview

Switzerland's telephone numbering plan is meticulously structured and adheres to international standards, ensuring efficient communication both domestically and internationally. This guide is tailored for telecom professionals, developers, and systems administrators seeking precise and current information on Switzerland's telecommunications framework.

Number Structure Explained

Switzerland employs a closed numbering plan in line with ITU-T Recommendation E.164, meaning all numbers, including area codes, have a fixed length.

General Number Format

• Total Digits: 9 (excluding country code)
• Format: 0XX XXX XX XX or 0XXX XX XX XX

Components:

1. Country Code: +41
2. National Destination Code (NDC): 2-4 digits
3. Subscriber Number: 6-7 digits

Examples:

• Landline: 021 345 67 89
• Mobile: 079 123 45 67

Detailed Number Formats

Below is a table detailing number formats for various services in Switzerland:

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

• Landline to Landline: Dial 0 followed by the full number (e.g., 021 345 67 89).
• Landline to Mobile: Dial 07X XXX XX XX (e.g., 079 123 45 67).
• Mobile to Mobile: Directly dial 07X XXX XX XX (e.g., 079 123 45 67).

International Calls

• Outgoing: Dial 00 followed by the country code and the subscriber number (e.g., 00 49 30 12345678 for Germany).
• Incoming: International callers should dial +41 followed by the Swiss number without the leading 0 (e.g., +41 21 345 67 89).

Number Portability

Switzerland supports number portability for both mobile and fixed-line services, allowing users to retain their numbers when switching providers. This fosters competition and enhances consumer choice.

Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

Major telecom operators in Switzerland include Swisscom, Sunrise, and Salt. While specific number ranges are managed by OFCOM, they are not publicly disclosed.

ITU-T Standards Compliance

Switzerland complies with ITU-T Recommendation E.164, ensuring global compatibility and standardization across telecommunications systems.

Number Allocation and Management

The Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) oversees the allocation and management of phone numbers in Switzerland, ensuring adherence to international standards and consumer needs.

Technical Considerations for Developers

Regular Expressions for Validation

Developers can use the following regular expressions to validate Swiss phone numbers:

// Geographic Numbers
/^0[2-5][0-9]{2} [0-9]{3} [0-9]{2} [0-9]{2}$/

// Mobile Numbers
/^07[5-9][0-9]{2} [0-9]{3} [0-9]{2} [0-9]{2}$/

// Toll-Free Numbers
/^0800 [0-9]{3} [0-9]{3}$/

// Premium Rate Numbers
/^090[0-6] [0-9]{3} [0-9]{3}$/

// Shared Cost Numbers
/^084[0-8] [0-9]{3} [0-9]{3}$/

Handling Number Portability

Consider integrating a number portability lookup service to ensure accurate routing and billing when dealing with Swiss phone numbers.

Recent or Upcoming Changes

As of the latest updates, no significant changes have been made to Switzerland's numbering plan since its last major revision in 2002.

Technical Restrictions and Special Cases

While Switzerland does not publicly document specific technical restrictions like golden numbers, all allocations must comply with OFCOM's regulations.

Conclusion

Switzerland's telephone numbering plan is robust and internationally compliant, ensuring reliable communication. By understanding the formats, dialing rules, and regulatory environment, telecom professionals can optimize system performance and enhance user experience when working with Swiss phone numbers.