Understanding Phone Numbers in Dominica
Quick Reference Guide
- Country: Dominica
- Country Code: +1 767
- International Prefix: 011
- National Prefix: 1
Overview
This comprehensive guide offers a detailed look into Dominica's telephone numbering plan. It covers the structure of phone numbers, dialing procedures, and regulatory information. Perfect for telecom professionals and developers seeking precise, data-driven insights into Dominica's phone systems.
Number Formats
General Number Structure
Dominica adheres to the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), similar to the United States and Canada. The typical phone number format includes:
- Country Code: +1
- NPA (Numbering Plan Area) Code: 767 (Dominica's unique area code)
- NXX (Central Office Code): 3 digits
- Subscriber Number: 4 digits
Example: +1 767 NXX XXXX
Detailed Number Formats
| Type | Format | Example | Regex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed-Line | 767-2XX-XXXX | 767-255-1234 | ^7672[0-9]{6}$ |
| Mobile | 767-[2-9]XX-XXXX | 767-275-1234 | ^767[2-9][0-9]{6}$ |
| Toll-Free | 800-NXX-XXXX | 800-234-5678 | ^800[2-9][0-9]{6}$ |
| Premium Rate | 900-NXX-XXXX | 900-234-5678 | ^900[2-9][0-9]{6}$ |
Regular Expressions for Validation
For developers and system administrators, the following regex patterns can be used to validate Dominica phone numbers:
- Fixed-Line Numbers:
^7672[0-9]{6}$ - Mobile Numbers:
^767[2-9][0-9]{6}$ - Toll-Free Numbers:
^800[2-9][0-9]{6}$ - Premium Rate Numbers:
^900[2-9][0-9]{6}$
Dialing Procedures
Domestic Calls
- Landline to Landline: Dial the 7-digit number directly.
- Landline to Mobile: Dial the 7-digit number directly.
- Mobile to Mobile: Dial the 7-digit number directly.
International Calls
- Outgoing: Dial 011 (International Prefix) + 1 (Country Code) + 767 (NPA Code) + NXX XXXX (Subscriber Number).
- Example:
011 + 1 + 767 + 255 1234
- Example:
- Incoming: The caller should dial their international access code, followed by +1 767 and the local number.
Number Portability
Mobile number portability (MNP) is available in Dominica, allowing subscribers to retain their phone numbers when switching between service providers. This applies to both mobile and fixed-line numbers.
Telecom Operators and Number Ranges
Major Operators
| Operator | Number Range |
|---|---|
| Flow (Liberty Global) | 767-2XX-XXXX, 767-3XX-XXXX |
| Digicel Dominica | 767-4XX-XXXX, 767-5XX-XXXX |
Regulatory Information
Regulatory Body
The Dominica Telecommunications Authority (DTA) oversees the regulation and management of the telephone numbering plan in Dominica. For the latest updates, visit the official DTA website (replace with the actual URL if available).
Number Allocation and Management
Numbers are allocated and managed by the DTA in accordance with NANP guidelines. The DTA ensures efficient and fair distribution of numbers among operators, considering future growth and technological advancements.
Technical Considerations
For Developers and System Administrators
- Validation: Use the provided regex patterns to validate phone numbers programmatically.
- Number Formatting: Ensure that numbers are stored and displayed in the international format (+1 767 NXX XXXX) for consistency and ease of use.
- Portability Handling: Implement support for mobile number portability to accommodate users switching providers without changing their numbers.
- Time Zone Awareness: Dominica operates in the Atlantic Standard Time (AST) zone (UTC-4). Consider this when scheduling automated calls or services.
For the most up-to-date information on telecommunications regulations in Dominica, please consult the official website of the Dominica Telecommunications Authority.
Conclusion
This guide offers a comprehensive overview of Dominica's telephone numbering plan, including formats, dialing procedures, and regulatory information. By adhering to the technical details provided, telecom professionals and developers can ensure accurate and efficient handling of phone numbers in Dominica.