Understanding Phone Numbers in Italy
Quick Reference Guide
- Country: Italy
- Country Code: +39
- International Prefix: 00
- National Prefix: None
Comprehensive Overview
Gain insights into Italy's telephone numbering plan, including its structure, formats, and dialing procedures. This guide is essential for telecom professionals, developers, and system administrators seeking detailed information on Italy's phone number system.
Number Formats Explained
General Number Structure
Italian phone numbers vary based on type, such as landline, mobile, or special service numbers. Here's the general structure:
- Country Code: +39
- Area Code: 2-4 digits (geographic numbers start with 0)
- Subscriber Number: 5-10 digits
- Mobile Prefix: 3X (X is 1-9)
- Special Services: Prefixes like 800 (toll-free), 89X (premium rate)
Detailed Number Structure Breakdown
| Number Type | Format Example | Regular Expression | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landline | 0669790793 | ^0\d{6,10}$ | Landline numbers start with a 0 followed by a 6-10 digit subscriber number. |
| Mobile | 3929878314 | ^3[1-9]\d{7,8}$ | Mobile numbers start with a 3 followed by 7-8 digits. |
| Toll-Free | 80093383 | ^800\d{5,6}$ | Toll-free numbers start with 800 followed by 5-6 digits. |
| Premium Rate | 892830404 | ^89[2-9]\d{5,6}$ | Premium rate numbers start with 89 followed by 5-6 digits. |
| Shared Cost | 840808030 | ^84[08]\d{6}$ | Shared cost numbers start with 840 or 848 followed by 6 digits. |
Dialing Procedures in Italy
Domestic Calls
- Landline to Landline: Dial the area code and subscriber number. Example:
0669790793. - Landline to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly. Example:
3929878314. - Mobile to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly. Example:
3929878314. - Mobile to Landline: Dial the area code and subscriber number. Example:
0669790793.
International Calls
- Outgoing: Dial
00, followed by the country code, area code, and subscriber number. Example:00 44 20 7946 0958(calling the UK from Italy). - Incoming: From abroad, dial
+39followed by the full Italian number, including the area code. Example:+39 0669790793.
Number Portability in Italy
Italy supports mobile number portability (MNP), allowing users to keep their mobile numbers when changing providers. This is regulated by the Autorità per le Garanzie nelle Comunicazioni (AGCOM), Italy's telecom authority.
Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges
| Operator | Mobile Prefixes | Landline Prefixes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIM | 331, 335, 339 | 06 (Rome), 02 (Milan) | Formerly Telecom Italia, TIM is Italy's largest telecom operator. |
| Vodafone Italy | 340, 347, 348 | 011 (Turin), 081 (Naples) | Vodafone offers extensive coverage across Italy. |
| Wind Tre | 320, 328, 388 | 041 (Venice), 055 (Florence) | Wind Tre is a major player in both mobile and fixed-line services. |
| Iliad | 351, 377 | N/A | A recent entrant in the Italian market, known for competitive pricing. |
ITU Standards and Recommendations
Italy adheres to the ITU-T E.164 standard, defining the international public telecommunication numbering plan. The country code for Italy is +39, and all numbers must conform to this standard.
Number Allocation and Management
Number allocation in Italy is managed by AGCOM, overseeing the distribution of number ranges to telecom operators. This ensures efficient use and prevents hoarding. AGCOM also manages the National Numbering Plan, including rules for number portability, special services, and toll-free numbers.
Technical Restrictions and Special Cases
- Golden Numbers: Certain easy-to-remember sequences may incur higher fees or special allocation procedures.
- Number Blocking: Premium service numbers may be blocked by default on some networks to prevent unauthorized charges.
Technical Considerations for Developers
When developing systems that interact with Italian phone numbers, consider the following:
- Validation: Use regular expressions to validate number formats, e.g.,
^0\d{6,10}$for landlines. - Normalization: Store numbers in E.164 format for consistency, e.g.,
+393929878314. - Portability Checks: Implement checks for mobile number portability to ensure accurate routing.
- Internationalization: Consider international dialing rules and time zones in your application logic.
Info: For the latest telecommunications regulations in Italy, visit the AGCOM official website.