Mauritania Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide

This guide provides a detailed overview of Mauritania's phone numbering system, crucial for developers, telecommunications professionals, and system administrators. We'll cover number formats, validation, formatting, and recent regulatory changes impacting implementation.

Quick Reference

• Country: Mauritania
• Country Code: +222
• International Prefix: 00
• National Prefix: None
• National Significant Number (NSN) Length: 8 digits

Keep these details handy for quick reference during development.

Mauritania's Phone Number System: An Overview

Mauritania uses an 8-digit NSN plan regulated by the Telecommunications and Posts Regulatory Authority (ARTP). The system is designed for simplicity and efficiency, adapting to modern telecommunications needs without complex area codes within the country. However, operator prefixes and service codes play a significant role in distinguishing number types.

Number Structure

Mauritanian phone numbers consist of an 8-digit NSN preceded by the country code (+222) for international calls. The NSN structure varies based on the service type (landline, mobile, toll-free, etc.).

+222 XXXXXXXX
      └─────── National Significant Number (NSN - 8 digits)

Number Categories and Formats

Here's a breakdown of Mauritanian number categories and their respective formats:

• Landline Numbers: These numbers typically begin with prefixes indicating the service provider and geographic location. While Mauritania doesn't use traditional area codes, the initial digits of landline numbers serve a similar purpose.

  • Format: 25[08]XXXXX, 35X[1-7]XXXXX, 45[1-7]XXXXX
  • Examples: 250808312, 451312345, 35798765
  • Note: The prefixes 250, 258, 45, 35 are associated with landline services. Specific ranges within these prefixes may be allocated to different regions or operators. For instance, 4513 is associated with Néma, while 45000 is associated with Kaédi.

• Mobile Numbers: Mobile numbers are assigned based on operator prefixes.

  • Format: [2-4][0-46-9]XXXXXX
  • Examples: 224404612, 46123456, 37890123
  • Operator Prefixes:
    • Chinguitel: 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29
    • Mauritel: 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49
    • Mattel: 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39

• Toll-Free Numbers:

  • Format: 800XXXXX
  • Example: 80012345

• Special Services: These are shortcodes for emergency and other services.

  • Format: 1XX
  • Examples: 117 (Emergency), 18 (Fire Brigade), 17 (Police)

Implementation Guide for Developers

Validation

Robust validation is crucial for handling user input and ensuring data integrity. Here's a JavaScript function for validating Mauritanian numbers:

function validateMauritanianNumber(phoneNumber) {
  const cleanedNumber = phoneNumber.replace(/\D/g, ''); // Remove non-digit characters
  const patterns = {
    landline: /^(25[08]|35[0-9]|45[1-7])\d{5}$/,
    mobile: /^(?:2[0-9]|3[0-9]|4[0-46-9])\d{6}$/,
    tollFree: /^800\d{5}$/,
    special: /^1\d{2}$/
  };
  for (const type in patterns) {
    if (patterns[type].test(cleanedNumber)) {
      return { valid: true, type }; // Return type for more context
    }
  }
  return { valid: false };
}

// Example usage:
console.log(validateMauritanianNumber('+22222123456')); // { valid: true, type: 'mobile' }
console.log(validateMauritanianNumber('451312345'));   // { valid: true, type: 'landline' }
console.log(validateMauritanianNumber('112'));         // { valid: true, type: 'special' }
console.log(validateMauritanianNumber('999999999'));   // { valid: false }

Formatting

Consistent formatting improves user experience. Here are functions for international and local formatting:

function formatInternational(number) {
  const cleanedNumber = number.replace(/\D/g, '');
  return `+222 ${cleanedNumber.slice(0, 3)} ${cleanedNumber.slice(3,8)}`;
}

function formatLocal(number) {
  const cleanedNumber = number.replace(/\D/g, '');
  return `${cleanedNumber.slice(0, 3)} ${cleanedNumber.slice(3,8)}`;
}

Recent Developments and Best Practices

Digital Identity Integration

Mauritania has implemented mandatory biometric SIM card registration as of October 2023. This requires developers to integrate with real-time verification APIs and adhere to ARTP's data security and privacy guidelines. Ensure your applications comply with these regulations for SIM card activation.

Number Portability (MNP)

Mobile Number Portability (MNP) allows users to retain their numbers when switching operators. This requires developers to implement number lookup functionalities against the ARTP's central database to determine the correct routing for calls and SMS messages.

Consider the following for MNP implementation:

• Number Lookup: Query the MNP database before routing calls.
• Database Integration: Efficiently integrate with the MNP database for real-time updates.
• Error Handling: Implement robust error handling for lookup failures.

Regulatory Compliance (ARTP)

Adherence to ARTP regulations is mandatory. Key requirements include:

• Number Assignment Validation: Validate number assignments against ARTP's guidelines.
• Real-time Reporting: Implement real-time reporting capabilities for number usage and other metrics.
• Data Retention: Comply with ARTP's data retention policies.
• Quality of Service (QoS) Monitoring: Monitor and maintain acceptable QoS levels.

Failure to comply with ARTP regulations can result in penalties.

Security Considerations

• API Security: Secure your APIs using OAuth 2.0, rate limiting, request signing, and IP whitelisting.
• Data Protection: Encrypt data in transit using TLS 1.3, implement data masking and access control, and maintain comprehensive audit logs.

Performance Optimization

• Caching: Use caching mechanisms like Redis to improve response times for frequent number lookups.
• Database Optimization: Optimize database queries, use indexing, and implement connection pooling.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively integrate with Mauritania's phone numbering system and ensure your applications are compliant with current regulations.