Understanding Hong Kong Phone Numbers

Quick Reference

Country: Hong Kong
Country Code: +852
International Prefix: 00
National Prefix: None

Overview

Discover the intricacies of Hong Kong's telephone numbering system with this comprehensive guide. Designed for telecom professionals, developers, and systems administrators, this resource covers number formats, dialing procedures, and regulatory insights essential for managing Hong Kong phone numbers efficiently.

Number Structure

General Number Structure

Country Code: +852
Subscriber Number Length: 8 digits
Area Codes: None (Hong Kong does not use area codes)
Special Prefixes:
- Mobile Numbers: Start with 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9
- Fixed-Line Numbers: Start with 2 or 3
- Toll-Free Numbers: Start with 800
- Premium Rate Numbers: Start with 900

Number Formats by Type

Type	Format	Example	Regex
Fixed-Line	2XXXXXXX or 3XXXXXXX	21234567, 31234567	`^(2
Mobile	4XXXXXXX, 5XXXXXXX, 6XXXXXXX, 7XXXXXXX, 8XXXXXXX, 9XXXXXXX	51234567, 91234567	`^[4-9]\d{7}$`
Toll-Free	800XXXX	80012345	`^800\d{6}$`
Premium Rate	900XXXX or 900X7	90012345, 9001234567	`^900\d{7}$`

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 International Calls: Dial 00 followed by the country code and the subscriber number. For example, to call a number in the USA, dial 00 1 XXX XXX XXXX.
Incoming International Calls: Callers from outside Hong Kong should dial +852 followed by the 8-digit local number.

Number Portability

Mobile Number Portability: Available since 1999, allowing users to retain their mobile numbers when switching service providers.
Fixed-Line Number Portability: Available, enabling subscribers to keep their fixed-line numbers when changing operators.

Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

Operator	Number Ranges
PCCW-HKT Telephone Limited	2XXXXXXX, 3XXXXXXX
Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited (HKBN)	4XXXXXXX, 5XXXXXXX
China Mobile Hong Kong	6XXXXXXX, 7XXXXXXX
SmarTone Mobile Communications Limited	8XXXXXXX, 9XXXXXXX

Regulatory Authority

The regulatory body responsible for telecommunications in Hong Kong is the Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA). For the most up-to-date information, visit their official website.

Recent and Upcoming Changes

Recent Changes: In 2018, new mobile number prefixes starting with 4, 7, and 8 were introduced to meet growing demand.
Upcoming Changes: No announced changes to the numbering plan as of the latest update.

Technical Considerations

Regular Expressions for Validation

Developers and systems administrators can use the following regular expressions to validate Hong Kong phone numbers:

// General Format
^(2|3|[4-9])\d{7}$

// Fixed-Line Numbers
^(2|3)\d{7}$

// Mobile Numbers
^[4-9]\d{7}$

// Toll-Free Numbers
^800\d{6}$

// Premium Rate Numbers
^900\d{7}$

Number Allocation and Management

Number allocation in Hong Kong is managed by OFCA. Numbers are allocated based on demand and are subject to regulatory oversight to ensure efficient use of the numbering plan.

Special Cases

Golden Numbers: There is no public information on the allocation of "golden numbers" (numbers considered highly desirable).
Number Blocking: Blocking of certain number ranges is managed by telecom operators in accordance with OFCA regulations.

For the most up-to-date information on telecommunications regulations in Hong Kong, please consult the official website of the Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA).

Conclusion

Hong Kong's telephone numbering system is straightforward, with an 8-digit format for both fixed-line and mobile numbers. The system is managed by OFCA, ensuring compliance with international standards. This guide provides the essential technical details needed to work with Hong Kong phone numbers, including formats, dialing rules, and validation methods.

For further technical inquiries or updates, always refer to the official regulatory body, OFCA.