Understanding Phone Numbers in Mexico

Quick Reference

• Country: Mexico
• Country Code: +52
• International Prefix: 00
• National Prefix: None

Overview

This comprehensive guide offers a detailed analysis of Mexico's telephone numbering plan, covering the structure, formats, and dialing procedures essential for telecom professionals, developers, and systems administrators. Gain insights into the intricacies of Mexico's telecommunications system.

Number Formats

General Number Structure

Mexican phone numbers are organized as follows:

• Country Code: +52
• Area Code: 2-3 digits (e.g., 55 for Mexico City)
• Subscriber Number: 7-8 digits

Landline Numbers

Landline numbers in Mexico are typically 10 digits, including the area code:

• Format: [2-9][0-9]{1,2}[0-9]{7}
• Example: +52 55 12345678 (Mexico City)

Mobile Numbers

Mobile numbers follow a similar structure to landlines but include a '1' prefix for international dialing:

• Format: [1][2-9][0-9]{1,2}[0-9]{7}
• Example: +52 1 55 12345678 (Mexico City)

Toll-Free Numbers

Toll-free numbers start with '800' or '888' and are 10 digits long:

• Format: 800[0-9]{7} or 888[0-9]{7}
• Example: +52 800 1234567

Premium Rate Numbers

Premium rate numbers begin with '900' and are 10 digits long:

• Format: 900[0-9]{7}
• Example: +52 900 1234567

Shared Cost Numbers

Shared cost numbers start with '300' and are 10 digits long:

• Format: 300[0-9]{7}
• Example: +52 300 1234567

Numbering Scheme (Regular Expressions)

Here are the regular expressions for validating Mexican phone numbers:

// Landline Numbers
/^\+52[2-9][0-9]{1,2}[0-9]{7}$/

// Mobile Numbers (International Format)
/^\+521[2-9][0-9]{1,2}[0-9]{7}$/

// Toll-Free Numbers
/^\+52800[0-9]{7}$|^\+52888[0-9]{7}$/

// Premium Rate Numbers
/^\+52900[0-9]{7}$/

// Shared Cost Numbers
/^\+52300[0-9]{7}$/

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

• Landline to Landline: Dial the 10-digit number (e.g., 55 12345678).
• Landline to Mobile: Dial the 10-digit number (e.g., 55 12345678).
• Mobile to Mobile: Dial the 10-digit number (e.g., 55 12345678).

International Calls

• Outgoing: Dial the international access code (e.g., 011 from the US), followed by +52, then the 10-digit number.

  • Example: 011 +52 55 12345678 (landline)
  • Example: 011 +52 1 55 12345678 (mobile)

• Incoming: International callers should dial +52 followed by the 10-digit number. Include '1' for mobiles.

Recent Changes to the Numbering Plan

As of August 3, 2019, Mexico eliminated national long-distance prefixes (01, 044, 045). All calls within Mexico now use a 10-digit format. Mobile number portability was introduced, allowing users to retain numbers when switching providers.

Number Portability

Mexico's mobile number portability allows users to switch providers while keeping their numbers, a change implemented by the Federal Institute of Telecommunications (IFT) on August 3, 2019.

Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

Regulatory Body and Number Management

The Federal Institute of Telecommunications (IFT) manages and allocates phone numbers in Mexico, ensuring compliance with ITU-T recommendations.

Technical Restrictions and Special Cases

There are no specific technical restrictions or special cases documented in Mexico’s numbering plan. The IFT manages premium and toll-free numbers to prevent misuse.

Technical Considerations for Developers

When handling Mexican phone numbers in software systems, consider:

1. Validation: Use regular expressions for number validation.
2. Internationalization: Include the '1' prefix for mobile numbers dialed from abroad.
3. Portability: Account for number portability in routing and billing.
4. Time Zone Handling: Consider Mexico's multiple time zones for scheduling.
5. Data Storage: Store numbers in E.164 format (e.g., +5215512345678) for compatibility.