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Phone Numbers in Western Sahara
Quick Reference
Country: Western Sahara
Country Code: +212
International Prefix: 00
National Prefix: 0
Overview
This comprehensive guide offers a detailed look at the telephone numbering plan in Western Sahara. It covers number structures, dialing procedures, and regulatory insights, making it an essential resource for telecom professionals, developers, and anyone engaging with Western Sahara's telecommunications network.
Number Formats
Western Sahara uses a numbering plan similar to Morocco's due to their shared country code (+212). Below is a breakdown of the number types used in the region.
General Number Structure
Format: [5-8]X{8}
Explanation: Numbers typically start with digits 5 through 8, followed by 8 digits.
Landline Numbers
Format: 528[89]X{5}
Explanation: Landline numbers start with 528, followed by 8 or 9, and then 5 digits.
Explanation: Mobile numbers begin with 6 or 7, followed by specific digit ranges and 7 digits.
Examples:
600793800
679079087
702004579
750180036
Toll-Free Numbers
Format: 80[0-7]X{6}
Explanation: Toll-free numbers start with 80, followed by digits 0 through 7, and then 6 digits.
Examples:
8000776
8000746
Premium Rate Numbers
Format: 89X{7}
Explanation: Premium rate numbers start with 89 and are followed by 7 digits.
Examples:
8957000000
8977000000
Dialing Procedures
Domestic Calls
Landline to Landline: Dial 0 followed by the full local number (e.g., 0528898935).
Landline to Mobile: Dial 0 followed by the mobile number (e.g., 0600793800).
Mobile to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly (e.g., 600793800).
International Calls
Outgoing: Dial 00, the country code, then the national number (e.g., 00 1 2025550125 for the USA).
Incoming: Dial +212 followed by the local number without the leading 0 (e.g., +212528898935).
Number Portability
Currently, mobile number portability (MNP) is unavailable in Western Sahara, meaning subscribers cannot retain their phone numbers when switching carriers.
Telecom Operators and Number Ranges
Major Telecom Operators
Western Sahara's telecom is influenced by Moroccan infrastructure. Key operators include:
Maroc Telecom: Prefix 528 for fixed-line and 6 or 7 for mobile.
Orange Maroc: Mobile services with numbers starting with 6 or 7.
Inwi: Mobile operator with numbers beginning with 6 or 7.
Number Ranges
Operator
Service Type
Number Prefixes
Maroc Telecom
Landline
5288, 5289
Maroc Telecom
Mobile
6[0-79]
Orange Maroc
Mobile
6[0-79], 7[0167]
Inwi
Mobile
7[0167], 75[01]
ITU-T Standards
Western Sahara follows ITU-T Recommendations E.123 and E.164:
E.123: Notation for national and international numbers.
E.164: International public telecommunication numbering plan.
Number Allocation and Management
Regulatory Authority
The Moroccan telecommunications regulatory authority, ANRT (Agence Nationale de Réglementation des Télécommunications), manages the numbering plan. For updates, visit ANRT's official website.
Number Allocation
Numbers are allocated based on service type and operator, managed by ANRT to ensure efficient use of resources.
Technical Restrictions and Special Cases
Golden Numbers
Golden numbers, easy-to-remember sequences, may be available for purchase at a premium, often used for business branding.
Number Blocking
Certain premium service number ranges might be blocked by default to prevent charges.
Technical Considerations
For Developers
When working with Western Sahara's phone numbers, consider:
Validation: Use regex patterns for number validation.
Portability: Do not assume number portability across operators.
Dialing Logic: Implement logic for domestic and international formats.