Phone Numbers in Seychelles: A Comprehensive Guide
Quick Reference
- Country: Seychelles
- Country Code: +248
- International Prefix: 00
- National Prefix: None
Overview
This comprehensive guide delves into the telephone numbering plan of Seychelles. It details the structure of phone numbers, dialing procedures, and essential information for telecom professionals, developers, and systems administrators working with Seychelles' telecommunications infrastructure.
Numbering Plan Structure
Seychelles uses a closed numbering plan with a fixed length for all telephone numbers, managed by the Department of Information Communications Technology (DICT) of Seychelles.
General Number Format
- Country Code: +248
- Subscriber Number Length: 7 digits
Number Structure
| Type of Number | Format | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geographic | 4[2-46]\d{5} | 4223456 | Landline numbers, typically fixed-line services. |
| Mobile | 2[125-8]\d{5} | 2512345 | Mobile numbers, assigned to cellular services. |
| Toll-Free | 800\d{4} | 8000123 | Toll-free services, free for the caller. |
| Premium Rate | 85\d{5} | 8523456 | Premium-rate services, typically used for special services with higher charges. |
Regular Expressions
The following regular expressions can be used to validate Seychelles phone numbers:
- Geographic (Landline):
^4[2-46]\d{5}$ - Mobile:
^2[125-8]\d{5}$ - Toll-Free:
^800\d{4}$ - Premium Rate:
^85\d{5}$
Dialing Procedures
Domestic Calls
- Landline to Landline: Dial the 7-digit subscriber number directly.
- Landline to Mobile: Dial the 7-digit mobile number directly.
- Mobile to Mobile: Dial the 7-digit mobile number directly.
International Calls
- Outgoing: Dial the international prefix
00, followed by the country code, area code (if applicable), and the subscriber number. Example:00 44 20 7123 4567for a call to London, UK. - Incoming: International callers should dial their international access code, followed by Seychelles' country code
+248, and the 7-digit subscriber number.
Recent Changes to the Numbering Plan
As of the latest update, there have been no recent changes or planned modifications to the numbering plan structure in Seychelles.
Number Portability
Currently, Seychelles does not support mobile number portability (MNP). Subscribers must obtain a new number when changing service providers.
Major Telecom Operators
The primary telecommunications operators in Seychelles include:
- Cable & Wireless Seychelles: Offers both fixed-line and mobile services.
- Airtel Seychelles: Provides mobile and broadband services.
- Intelvision: Primarily focused on broadband and TV services, with some mobile offerings.
Specific number ranges associated with these operators are not publicly disclosed but are managed according to the national numbering plan.
Regulatory Body
The telecommunications sector in Seychelles is regulated by the Department of Information Communications Technology (DICT). For more information, visit their official website.
ITU-T Standards
Seychelles follows the ITU-T E.164 standard for international public telecommunication numbering plans, ensuring compatibility with global telecommunications systems.
Number Allocation and Management
Number allocation and management in Seychelles are overseen by the DICT. The allocation process is designed to ensure efficient use of the limited numbering resources, with specific prefixes reserved for different types of services (e.g., mobile, landline, toll-free).
Technical Restrictions and Special Cases
Seychelles does not have any widely reported cases of golden numbers or specific number blocking restrictions. However, all numbers are subject to the national numbering plan regulations as enforced by the DICT.
Technical Considerations for Developers
When working with Seychelles phone numbers, developers should consider the following:
- Validation: Implement regex-based validation to ensure numbers conform to the national numbering plan.
- Formatting: Ensure that international formats include the country code
+248without leading zeros. - Dialing Rules: Be aware of the specific dialing procedures for both domestic and international calls.
- Integration: Systems should be designed to handle the lack of number portability, as subscribers will change numbers when switching providers.
Note: For the latest updates on Seychelles' telecommunications regulations, please consult the official website of the Department of Information Communications Technology (DICT).