Western Sahara Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide

Introduction

You're likely reading this guide because you need to understand the intricacies of Western Sahara's phone number system. Whether you're a telecom professional, a developer integrating telephony features, or a system integrator, this guide will provide you with the essential knowledge you need. We'll cover number structures, dialing procedures, and the regulatory landscape governing telecommunications in Western Sahara. This detailed guide will equip you with the tools to confidently handle Western Sahara phone numbers in your projects.

Understanding the Telecommunications Landscape in Western Sahara

Western Sahara's telecommunications infrastructure operates under Morocco's regulatory framework, overseen by the Agence Nationale de Réglementation des Télécommunications (ANRT). This integration means that while geographically distinct, Western Sahara's numbering plan aligns with Morocco's national system. This interconnectedness has implications for number formatting, validation, and regulatory compliance, all of which we'll explore in detail.

As highlighted in sahara-developpement.com, significant investments have been made in the region's telecommunications infrastructure since 1975, focusing on expanding and modernizing networks. This modernization effort is crucial for the region's development and has led to the implementation of digital telephone centers and improved connectivity. You should consider this ongoing development when designing systems, as changes and expansions to the numbering plan are possible.

Numbering Plan Structure

Western Sahara uses a geographically based numbering system, mirroring Morocco's national plan. This system efficiently allocates numbers to major population centers. Understanding these regional assignments is crucial for accurate routing and validation.

Regional Prefixes and Coverage

Key takeaway: When validating local numbers, especially for business applications, consider the geographic prefix to ensure correct regional routing. You'll want to ensure your system can accurately identify and route calls based on these prefixes.

Emergency and Special Service Numbers

Western Sahara utilizes dedicated short codes for emergency and support services. These numbers are vital for public safety and access to essential services. Your systems should prioritize these calls and ensure accessibility.

Emergency Services

• Police (19): Connects you directly to local law enforcement.
• Royal Gendarmerie (177): Provides access to rural and highway patrol.
• Ambulance/Fire (15): For medical and fire emergencies.

Warning: Emergency numbers must be reachable from any device, regardless of SIM card presence or account balance. Ensure your systems prioritize these calls and adhere to ANRT regulations regarding emergency service access.

Support Services

• Directory Enquiries (160): Provides number lookup assistance.
• Customer Service (114): Offers general telecommunications support.

Mobile Operator Prefixes

Three primary mobile operators serve Western Sahara, each with designated number ranges. Understanding these prefixes is essential for identifying the operator associated with a given mobile number.

Operator Assignments

Mobile numbers follow the format [Operator Prefix][Subscriber Number], for example, 06-XXXXXXXX or 07-XXXXXXXX. You should be aware that some prefixes, like 06-8x, are shared between operators, requiring more nuanced validation.

Implementation Guidelines for Developers

This section provides practical guidance on implementing Western Sahara phone number handling in your systems. We'll cover validation, international formatting, and best practices.

1. Number Validation

Robust validation is crucial for ensuring data integrity and preventing errors. You should use regular expressions to validate number formats based on the prefixes and lengths outlined above.

// Example validation regex for Western Sahara mobile numbers
const mobileRegex = /^(?:06|07)[0-9]{8}$/;

// More comprehensive regex incorporating operator-specific prefixes
const detailedMobileRegex = /^(?:06(?:[0-4]\d|5\d|6\d|7\d|8[0-247-9]|9\d)|07(?:0\d|1\d|2[0-4]\d|5[01]\d|6\d|7\d|8[0-3]\d))\d{6}$/;

// Test the regex
console.log(detailedMobileRegex.test('0612345678')); // true
console.log(detailedMobileRegex.test('0761234567')); // true
console.log(detailedMobileRegex.test('0683123456')); // false (06-83 to 06-86 are not allocated for mobile)
console.log(detailedMobileRegex.test('0791234567')); // false (07-9x is not allocated for mobile)

Remember to test your regular expressions thoroughly with various valid and invalid inputs to ensure accuracy. Consider edge cases and potential formatting variations.

2. International Formatting

Converting local numbers to international format is essential for international calls and SMS messaging. You should adhere to the international E.164 standard.

// Convert local to international format
function toInternational(localNumber) {
  return localNumber.replace(/^0/, '+212');
}

// Example usage
console.log(toInternational('0612345678')); // +212612345678

This function replaces the leading '0' with the country code '+212'. This standardized format ensures compatibility with international telecommunications systems.

3. Number Preprocessing

Before validation, preprocess the input to handle variations in formatting. This step improves the reliability of your validation process.

function preprocessNumber(number) {
  return number
    .replace(/[\s\-\(\)\.]/g, '') // Remove whitespace, hyphens, parentheses, and periods
    .replace(/^(\+212|00212)/, '') // Remove leading country code (if present)
    .replace(/^0/, ''); // Remove leading national prefix (if present)
}

// Example usage
console.log(preprocessNumber('+212 612 345 678')); // 612345678
console.log(preprocessNumber('0612-345-678')); // 612345678

This function removes common formatting characters and leading prefixes, preparing the number for validation against your defined patterns.

4. Comprehensive Validation Function

Combine preprocessing and regex validation into a single function for streamlined validation.

const patterns = {
  landline: /^528[89]\d{5}$/,
  mobile: /^(?:6[0-79]|68[0-247-9]|7[0167]|72[0-4]|75[01]|78[0-3])\d{7}$/,
  tollFree: /^80[0-7]\d{6}$/,
  premiumRate: /^89\d{7}$/
};

function validateWesternSaharaNumber(number, type = 'any') {
  const cleaned = preprocessNumber(number);

  if (type === 'any') {
    return Object.values(patterns).some(pattern => pattern.test(cleaned));
  }

  return patterns[type] && patterns[type].test(cleaned);
}

// Example usage
console.log(validateWesternSaharaNumber('+212528812345', 'landline')); // true
console.log(validateWesternSaharaNumber('0612345678', 'mobile')); // true
console.log(validateWesternSaharaNumber('800123456', 'tollFree')); // true
console.log(validateWesternSaharaNumber('0683123456', 'mobile')); // false

This function allows you to validate against specific number types or check for any valid format. It incorporates the preprocessing step for improved reliability.

5. Error Handling and User Feedback

Provide clear and informative error messages to guide users. Consider supporting multiple languages.

const errorMessages = {
  en: {
    invalidFormat: 'Invalid phone number format',
    // ... other error messages
  },
  // ... other languages
};

// Example usage within a validation function
function validateAndProvideFeedback(number, type) {
  if (!validateWesternSaharaNumber(number, type)) {
    console.error(errorMessages.en.invalidFormat);
    return false;
  }
  return true;
}

This approach enhances user experience by providing specific feedback on validation failures.

6. Best Practices

• Input Handling: Accept multiple input formats for user convenience. Provide clear validation feedback in real-time.
• Performance Optimization: Cache compiled regular expressions and validation results to improve performance.
• Testing Strategy: Implement comprehensive testing with various test cases, including edge cases and invalid inputs.

Regulatory Updates and Considerations

The ANRT regularly updates its regulations. Stay informed about changes to the numbering plan, licensing requirements, and other relevant policies. You can find the latest information on the ANRT Official Website. As of late 2025, ANRT has focused on modernizing the numbering plan, enhancing mobile services, expanding geographic number ranges, and improving service quality, particularly for emergency call handling. You should consider these updates when designing and maintaining your systems.

As noted in afrol.com, Maroc Telecom's investment in a fiber optic line extending through Western Sahara into Mauritania signifies a growing emphasis on connectivity in the region. This development highlights the importance of staying updated on infrastructure improvements and their potential impact on telecommunications services.

Conclusion

You now have a comprehensive understanding of Western Sahara's phone number system. By following the guidelines and best practices outlined in this guide, you can effectively implement and maintain telecommunications systems that seamlessly integrate with the region's infrastructure and regulatory framework. Remember to regularly consult the ANRT website for the latest updates and ensure your systems remain compliant.