Understanding Phone Numbers in Egypt

Quick Reference Guide

• Country: Egypt
• Country Code: +20
• International Prefix: 00
• National Prefix: 0
• Regulatory Body: National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA)

Overview

Gain insights into Egypt's telephone numbering plan, including the structure of phone numbers, dialing procedures, and regulatory details. This guide is essential for telecom professionals, developers, and businesses engaging with Egypt's telecommunications infrastructure.

Number Formats and Structure

General Structure

Egyptian phone numbers consist of:

1. Country Code: +20
2. Area Code: Specific to regions (e.g., Cairo: 2, Alexandria: 3)
3. Subscriber Number: Length varies by service type (landline, mobile, etc.)

Detailed Number Formats

Area Codes

Area codes in Egypt identify specific regions:

Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

• Landline to Landline: Dial the area code followed by the subscriber number. Example: 02-XXXX-XXXX for a call within Cairo.
• Landline to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly, preceded by the national prefix 0. Example: 010-XXXX-XXXX.
• Mobile to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly with the national prefix 0. Example: 011-XXXX-XXXX.

International Calls

• Outgoing: Dial the international prefix 00, followed by the country code, area code, and subscriber number. Example: 00-1-212-555-1234 for a call to the USA.
• Incoming: From abroad, dial +20, followed by the area code and subscriber number, omitting the leading 0. Example: +20-2-XXXX-XXXX for a call to Cairo.

Number Portability

Mobile number portability is available in Egypt, allowing users to retain their numbers when switching operators. This process is overseen by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA).

Recent and Upcoming Changes

There have been no significant changes to the Egyptian numbering plan in the past five years. Historical changes include adjustments to Telecom Egypt's subscriber numbers.

Number Allocation and Management

The NTRA manages the allocation of telephone numbers in Egypt, ensuring compliance with ITU-T recommendations and overseeing number portability.

Technical Restrictions and Special Cases

• Golden Numbers: Vanity or memorable numbers may be available at a premium.
• Number Blocking: Certain numbers may be blocked due to regulatory or security reasons.

Technical Considerations

Regular Expressions for Validation

Here are some regex patterns for validating Egyptian phone numbers:

// Landline (Cairo)
^\+20\s2\s\d{4}\s\d{4}$

// Mobile
^\+20\s1[0-5]\s\d{4}\s\d{4}$

// Toll-Free
^\+20\s800\s\d{3}\s\d{4}$

// Premium Rate
^\+20\s900\s\d{3}\s\d{4}$

// Emergency
^\d{3}$

ITU-T Standards Compliance

Egypt's numbering system complies with ITU-T E.164 standards, defining the international public telecommunication numbering plan.

For the latest telecommunications regulations in Egypt, visit the NTRA official website.

Conclusion

Understanding Egypt's phone number formats, dialing rules, and regulatory landscape is crucial for telecommunications and international business. This guide equips you with the necessary technical details to navigate Egypt's telecommunication infrastructure effectively.