Understanding Phone Numbers in Saudi Arabia

Quick Reference Guide

Country: Saudi Arabia
Country Code: +966
International Prefix: 00
National Prefix: 0
Regulatory Authority: Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST)

Overview

This comprehensive guide offers insights into the telephone numbering system in Saudi Arabia, detailing number formats, dialing procedures, and regulatory guidelines. It is an invaluable resource for telecom professionals, developers, and systems administrators working with Saudi Arabian phone numbers.

Number Structure

Saudi Arabia employs a closed numbering plan, ensuring a fixed length for phone numbers, including area codes. Here's a breakdown of the numbering structure:

Numbering Format

Type	Format	Example	Description
Geographic (Landline)	`0X XX XXXX`	`011 234 5678`	Geographic numbers are 9 digits long, including the area code. The first digit after the national prefix `0` indicates the region.
Mobile	`05X XXX XXXX`	`059 123 4567`	Mobile numbers are 10 digits long, starting with the prefix `05`. The second digit identifies the operator.
Toll-Free	`800 XXX XXXX`	`800 123 4567`	Toll-free numbers are 10 digits long and start with `800`. These numbers are free for the caller and are typically used by businesses.
Premium Rate	`9200 XXX XXX`	`9200 123 456`	Premium rate numbers start with `9200` and are used for services that charge the caller a higher rate.
Shared Cost	`920 XXX XXXX`	`920 123 4567`	Shared cost numbers start with `920` and are used for services where the cost is shared between the caller and the recipient.

Regular Expressions

Use these regular expressions to validate Saudi Arabian phone numbers:

Geographic (Landline):
```
/^0[1-9]\d{7}$/
```
Mobile:
```
/^05\d{8}$/
```
Toll-Free:
```
/^800\d{7}$/
```
Premium Rate:
```
/^9200\d{6}$/
```
Shared Cost:
```
/^920\d{7}$/
```

Area Codes

Saudi Arabia's area codes are specific to regions. Here are the major area codes:

Region/City	Area Code
Riyadh	011
Jeddah	012
Mecca	012
Medina	014
Dammam	013
Tabuk	014
Abha	017

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

Landline to Landline: Dial the complete number, including the area code.
- Example: 011 234 5678
Landline to Mobile: Dial the full mobile number.
- Example: 059 123 4567
Mobile to Mobile: Dial the full mobile number.
- Example: 059 123 4567

International Calls

Outgoing: Dial 00 followed by the country code, area code, and local number.
- Example: 00 1 212 555 1234 (calling New York, USA)
Incoming: Callers from abroad should dial +966 followed by the area code and local number, omitting the leading 0.
- Example: +966 11 234 5678 (calling Riyadh)

Number Portability

Saudi Arabia supports mobile number portability (MNP), allowing users to retain their mobile numbers when switching service providers. The CST oversees this process.

Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

Operator	Number Ranges
STC	050, 053, 055
Mobily	054, 056
Zain	058, 059
Virgin Mobile	057

ITU Recommendations

Saudi Arabia adheres to ITU-T E.164 standards for international numbering plans, ensuring global uniqueness and dialability from any country.

Number Allocation and Management

The CST manages the allocation and management of phone numbers in Saudi Arabia, ensuring efficient use of number ranges and alignment with the country's telecommunications needs.

Technical Restrictions and Special Cases

Golden Numbers: Premium numbers with memorable sequences are sold at higher prices.
Number Blocking: Certain numbers may be blocked by operators for regulatory or security reasons.

Technical Considerations for Developers

When developing systems for Saudi Arabian phone numbers, consider:

Validation: Use regular expressions for format validation.
Normalization: Store numbers in international format (e.g., +966 59 123 4567).
Portability: Account for mobile number portability (MNP).
Internationalization: Support both domestic and international dialing contexts.

Note: For the latest telecommunications regulations in Saudi Arabia, visit the CST official website.