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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 TypeFormatExampleDescription
Geographic0[1-2][2-9]XXXXXX0123456789Standard landline numbers
Mobile`0[778899]XXXXXXX`
Special Services1XX112Short 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.

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).