What is the country code for Malawi?

The country code for Malawi is +265.

How are mobile numbers structured in Malawi?

Mobile numbers in Malawi start with the prefixes 77, 88, or 99, followed by a seven-digit subscriber number. The full format is 0[77|88|99]XXXXXXX.

What are the dialing procedures for making international calls to Malawi?

To dial a Malawian number from abroad, use the country code +265 followed by the Malawian number without the leading 0. For example, to call the number 0991234567 from another country, dial +265 991234567.

Which telecom operators are major players in Malawi, and what number ranges do they use?

The major telecom operators in Malawi are Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM) with the prefix 088 and Airtel Malawi with the prefix 099.

Is mobile number portability available in Malawi?

Yes, mobile number portability is available in Malawi, allowing subscribers to retain their phone numbers when switching between service providers.

What is the country code for Malawi?

The country code for Malawi is +265.

How do I dial a landline number in Malawi from abroad?

To dial a landline number in Malawi from abroad, use the format: +265 followed by the Malawian landline number without the leading 0. For example, +265 123456789.

What prefixes are used for mobile numbers in Malawi?

Mobile numbers in Malawi typically start with the prefixes 77, 88, or 99.

Who regulates phone numbers in Malawi?

The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) is responsible for regulating phone numbers in Malawi.

What is the ITU-T Recommendation E.164?

ITU-T Recommendation E.164 is an international standard that defines the format for telephone numbers, ensuring they are unique and globally recognizable.

Can I keep my phone number if I switch telecom providers in Malawi?

Yes, Malawi has implemented mobile number portability, allowing you to retain your phone number when switching between service providers.

What is the format for geographic landline numbers in Malawi?

Geographic landline numbers in Malawi follow the format 0[1-2][2-9]XXXXXX, where X represents digits.

How do I make an international call from Malawi?

To make an international call from Malawi, dial the international prefix 00, followed by the destination country code, and the national number.

What is the national prefix used for dialing within Malawi?

The national prefix used for dialing within Malawi is 0.

What are the prefixes for major telecom operators in Malawi?

The major telecom operators in Malawi have the following prefixes: Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM) uses 088, and Airtel Malawi uses 099.

How are special service numbers formatted in Malawi?

Special service numbers in Malawi are formatted as 1XX, where X represents digits. For example, 112 is an emergency service number.

What is the international dialing prefix for Malawi?

The international dialing prefix for Malawi is 00.

How can I validate a Malawian mobile number programmatically?

You can validate a Malawian mobile number using the regular expression ^0(77|88|99)\d{7}$.

What is the role of MACRA in Malawi's telecommunications?

MACRA is responsible for the allocation, management, and regulation of phone numbers in Malawi, ensuring compliance with international standards.

Are there any special considerations for developers working with Malawian phone numbers?

Yes, developers should use regular expressions for validation, handle number portability, and ensure systems can manage the +265 country code.

What is a subscriber number in the context of Malawian phone numbers?

A subscriber number in Malawi is the part of the phone number following the national destination code, consisting of 6-7 digits.

Is there any information on golden numbers in Malawi?

There is no publicly available information on the allocation or restrictions regarding golden numbers in Malawi.

How do I dial a Malawian mobile number from a landline within Malawi?

To dial a Malawian mobile number from a landline within Malawi, dial 0 followed by the mobile number. For example, 0991234567.

What should I do if I encounter issues with number blocking in Malawi?

Specific technical restrictions or number blocking cases are not documented, but they should be considered part of broader telecom security practices.

What is the format for dialing a US number from Malawi?

To dial a US number from Malawi, use the format 00 1 followed by the US number. For example, 00 1 2025550123.

Phone Numbers in Malawi

Quick Reference

Country: Malawi
Country Code: +265
International Prefix: 00
National Prefix: 0
Regulatory Authority: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA)
ITU-T Compliance: E.164

Overview

This guide offers a comprehensive overview of the telephone numbering plan in Malawi, detailing the structure of phone numbers, dialing procedures, and regulatory considerations. It's an essential resource for telecom professionals, developers, and businesses working with Malawi's telecommunications infrastructure.

Number Formats

General Number Structure

Malawi follows the ITU-T Recommendation E.164 for its telephone numbering. The general structure of a Malawian phone number includes:

Country Code: +265
National Destination Code (NDC): 2-3 digits
Subscriber Number (SN): 6-7 digits

Number Format Breakdown

Geographic Numbers (Landline)

Format: 0[1-2][2-9]XXXXXX
Example: 0123456789
Description: Landline numbers typically start with 01 or 02 followed by a six-digit subscriber number.

Mobile Numbers

Format: 0[77|88|99]XXXXXXX
Example: 0991234567
Description: Mobile numbers generally start with 77, 88, or 99 followed by a seven-digit subscriber number.

Special Services

Format: 1XX
Example: 112
Description: Short codes for emergency services or other special services.

Comprehensive Number Format Table

Number Type	Format	Example	Description
Geographic	`0[1-2][2-9]XXXXXX`	`0123456789`	Standard landline numbers
Mobile	`0[77	88	99]XXXXXXX`
Special Services	`1XX`	`112`	Short codes for emergency or special services

Regular Expression Patterns

For developers working with Malawian phone numbers, the following regular expressions can be used for validation:

Geographic Numbers: ^0[1-2][2-9]\d{6}$
Mobile Numbers: ^0(77|88|99)\d{7}$
Special Services: ^1\d{2}$

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Dialing

Landline to Landline: Dial the full number including the national prefix 0. Example: 0123456789.
Landline to Mobile: Dial 0 followed by the mobile number. Example: 0991234567.
Mobile to Mobile: Dial the full mobile number including the prefix 0. Example: 0991234567.

International Dialing

Outgoing: Dial the international prefix 00, followed by the destination country code, and then the national number. Example: 00 1 2025550123 (calling the USA).
Incoming: From abroad, dial +265 followed by the Malawian number without the leading 0. Example: +265 991234567.

Number Portability

Malawi has implemented mobile number portability, allowing subscribers to retain their phone numbers when switching between service providers. However, detailed technical specifications or historical data regarding the implementation are not widely documented.

Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM)

Prefix: 088
Description: One of the largest telecom operators in Malawi, providing mobile and fixed-line services.

Airtel Malawi

Prefix: 099
Description: Another major telecom operator, primarily offering mobile services.

Regulatory and Numbering Management

Regulatory Body

The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) is responsible for the allocation and management of phone numbers within Malawi. MACRA ensures compliance with ITU-T standards and oversees the implementation of any changes to the numbering plan.

Website: Visit MACRA

Number Allocation and Management

Phone numbers in Malawi are allocated by MACRA according to a structured plan that aligns with ITU-T Recommendation E.164. The allocation process ensures that there is no overlap between different telecom operators and services.

Technical Considerations

For Developers

Validation: Use the provided regular expressions to validate Malawian phone numbers in your applications.
Portability: Consider implementing logic to handle number portability, as users may switch providers while retaining their numbers.
Internationalization: Ensure your systems can handle the +265 country code and accurately format numbers for both domestic and international contexts.

Special Cases

Golden Numbers: There is no publicly available information on the allocation or restrictions regarding golden numbers in Malawi.
Number Blocking: Specific technical restrictions or number blocking cases are not documented but should be considered as part of broader telecom security practices.

Info: For the most up-to-date information on telecommunications regulations and numbering plans in Malawi, please consult the official website of the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA).

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