Cameroon Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide - phone-number-standards - Cameroon phone numbers, international dialing 237, Cameroon area codes, phone-format

Cameroon Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide

Quick Reference

  • Country: Cameroon
  • Country Code: +237
  • International Prefix: 00
  • National Prefix: None

Overview

Discover the comprehensive structure of Cameroon's telephone numbering plan, including dialing procedures and regulatory insights. This guide is essential for telecom professionals, developers, and businesses seeking accurate information on Cameroonian phone numbers.

Numbering Plan Structure

Cameroon's numbering plan adheres to the ITU-T E.164 standard, supporting up to 15 digits in an international phone number, inclusive of the country code.

General Number Structure

  • Country Code: +237
  • Subscriber Number: 8 digits

Number Breakdown

TypeFormatExample
Landline2X XX XX XX22233866
Mobile6X XX XX XX672123456
Toll-Free88X XX XX XX88012345
Premium Rate90X XX XX XX90123456

Regular Expressions for Number Validation

Validate Cameroonian phone numbers with these regular expressions:

  • Landline: ^2\d{7}$
  • Mobile: ^6\d{7}$
  • Toll-Free: ^88\d{6}$
  • Premium Rate: ^90\d{6}$

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

  • Landline to Landline: Dial the 8-digit number directly.
  • Landline to Mobile: Dial the 8-digit mobile number directly.
  • Mobile to Mobile: Dial the 8-digit mobile number directly.

International Calls

  • Outgoing: Dial 00, followed by the country code and subscriber number. E.g., to call the US: 00 1 XXX XXX XXXX.
  • Incoming: Dial +237 followed by the 8-digit number.

Recent and Upcoming Changes

Currently, there are no significant changes to Cameroon's numbering plan. Stay updated by visiting the Telecommunications Regulatory Board (TRB) for future updates.

Number Portability

Cameroon supports Mobile Number Portability (MNP), allowing users to switch operators without changing numbers. This service is regulated by the TRB and is available across all major networks.

Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

OperatorNumber Range
MTN Cameroon67X, 68X, 69X
Orange Cameroon65X, 66X
Nexttel66X, 69X
Camtel22X, 23X

ITU-T Recommendations

Cameroon's numbering plan complies with ITU-T E.164, ensuring global interoperability in telecommunication numbering.

Number Allocation and Management

The Telecommunications Regulatory Board (TRB) oversees number allocation, ensuring efficient and fair distribution among operators.

Technical Restrictions and Special Cases

  • Golden Numbers: Reserved for premium services, managed by operators.
  • Number Blocking: Specific ranges may be blocked for certain services, managed at the network level.

Technical Considerations

For developers and system administrators:

  1. Normalization: Store numbers in E.164 format (+237XXXXXXXX) for global compatibility.
  2. Validation: Use the provided regex for number validation.
  3. Portability: Consider MNP when designing systems reliant on number-based routing.

For the latest telecom regulations in Cameroon, visit the Telecommunications Regulatory Board (TRB).