Understanding Phone Numbers in Somalia

Quick Reference Guide

• Country: Somalia
• Country Code: +252
• International Prefix: 00
• National Prefix: 0

Overview

This comprehensive guide offers insights into Somalia's telephone numbering plan, detailing its structure, dialing procedures, and regulatory framework. Ideal for telecom professionals, developers, and business operators, this guide simplifies the complexities of Somali phone numbers.

Number Structure

Somalia's phone number system aligns with the ITU-T Recommendation E.164, using the country code +252. The number structure varies for geographic (landline) and non-geographic (mobile, special services) numbers.

General Number Structure

• Country Code: +252
• National Prefix: 0 (for domestic calls)
• Subscriber Number Length: 5 to 8 digits, depending on the service type

Geographic Numbers (Landlines)

Geographic numbers range from 5 to 7 digits, influenced by the area code.

• Format: 0X XX XXX or 0X XXX XXX
• Example: 023 12345, 041 678901

Mobile Numbers

Mobile numbers start with specific prefixes and are 7 to 8 digits long.

• Format: 07X XXX XXXX or 09X XXX XXXX
• Example: 079 123 4567, 090 987 6543

Special Service Numbers

Special service numbers, like toll-free and premium rates, are shorter.

• Format: 1XX
• Example: 100 (for emergency services)

Comprehensive Number Format Table

Regular Expressions for Validation

To validate Somali phone numbers programmatically, use these regular expressions:

Geographic Numbers

/^0[1-5][0-9]{4,6}$/

Mobile Numbers

/^0[79][0-9]{7}$/

Special Service Numbers

/^1[0-9]{2}$/

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

• Landline to Landline: Dial the area code followed by the subscriber number.
  • Example: 023 12345
• Landline to Mobile: Dial the mobile prefix followed by the subscriber number.
  • Example: 079 123 4567
• Mobile to Mobile: Dial the mobile prefix followed by the subscriber number.
  • Example: 079 123 4567

International Calls

• Outgoing: Dial 00 followed by the country code, area code (if applicable), and subscriber number.
  • Example: Calling Kenya: 00 254 20 1234567
• Incoming: Dial +252 followed by the local number without the leading 0.
  • Example: +252 79 123 4567

Recent Changes to the Numbering Plan

Currently, there are no recent changes to Somalia's numbering plan. For updates, consult the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Technology.

Number Portability

Somalia does not support mobile number portability, meaning subscribers cannot retain their numbers when switching providers.

Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

ITU Standards and Recommendations

Somalia's numbering system complies with ITU-T Recommendation E.164, ensuring international compatibility.

Number Allocation and Management

The Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Technology manages number allocation, ensuring adherence to national and international standards.

Technical Restrictions and Special Cases

• Golden Numbers: Premium numbers may be reserved or sold at higher costs.
• Number Blocking: Numbers linked to fraud may be blocked by operators.

Technical Considerations

For developers and system administrators:

1. Number Validation: Use provided regex for validation.
2. Dialing Format: Implement correct international dialing procedures.
3. Number Parsing: Strip the national prefix (0) for storage consistency.
4. Portability: Note the lack of number portability in multi-operator environments.