Phone Numbers in Laos: Formats and Dialing Rules

Quick Reference

• Country: Lao People's Democratic Republic
• Country Code: +856
• International Prefix: 00
• National Prefix: 0

Overview

Discover the comprehensive details of the telephone numbering plan in Laos. This guide covers phone number structures, dialing procedures, and technical considerations for telecommunication professionals and developers integrating Lao phone numbers into their systems.

Number Formats

General Number Structure

Laos adheres to the ITU-T E.164 international numbering format. The typical phone number structure includes:

• Country Code: +856
• Area Code: 1-2 digits
• Subscriber Number: 6-8 digits

Detailed Number Formats

Type	Format	Example
Landline Numbers	2X{7} or 3X{7}	2123456, 31234567
Mobile Numbers	20[2-9]X{7}	2023456789, 2098765432
Toll-Free Numbers	1800XXXXXX	1800123456
Short Codes	XXX or XXXX	119, 1234
Emergency Services	199	199

Regular Expressions

Validate Lao phone numbers using these regular expressions:

• Landline Numbers:
  ^2\d{7}$|^3\d{7}$
  

• Mobile Numbers:
  ^20[2-9]\d{7}$
  

• Toll-Free Numbers:
  ^1800\d{6}$
  

• Short Codes:
  ^\d{3,4}$
  

• Emergency Numbers:
  ^199$
  

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

• Landline to Landline: Dial the area code followed by the subscriber number.
  Example: 021234567 (within Vientiane)
• Landline to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly.
  Example: 2023456789
• Mobile to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly.
  Example: 2098765432

International Calls

• Outgoing International Calls: Dial 00, the country code, area code, and subscriber number.
  Example: 00 1 213 5551234 (to Los Angeles, USA)
• Incoming International Calls: Use +856 followed by the area code and subscriber number.
  Example: +856 21 234567 (to a Vientiane landline)

Recent Changes to Numbering Plan

Currently, there are no significant changes to the numbering plan in Laos. Stay updated by checking with the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications.

Number Portability

Mobile number portability is not available in Laos, meaning subscribers cannot retain their numbers when switching providers.

Major Telecom Operators

• Lao Telecom: Offers fixed-line and mobile services.
• Unitel: Provides mobile and some fixed-line services.
• ETL: Specializes in mobile services.
• Beeline: Focuses on mobile services.

Regulatory Body

The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPT) regulates telecommunications in Laos. For more information, visit their official website.

Number Allocation and Management

The MPT oversees number allocation and management, ensuring compliance with the national numbering plan.

Technical Restrictions or Special Cases

• Golden Numbers: Premium numbers with high memorability, often sold at higher prices.
• Number Blocking: Available through most operators to block unwanted numbers.

Technical Considerations

For developers and administrators working with Lao phone numbers, consider:

1. Validation: Use provided regex for accurate validation.
2. Normalization: Store numbers in E.164 format for consistency.
3. Internationalization: Handle both domestic and international formats.
4. Time Zone Awareness: Laos operates on Indochina Time (ICT), UTC+7.
5. Number Formatting: Always include the country code in international contexts.

References:

• Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPT)
• ITU-T Recommendations E.164 and E.123
• Official websites of Lao Telecom, Unitel, ETL, Beeline

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