Sint Maarten Phone Number Guide

Quick Reference

Country: Sint Maarten
Country Code: +1
International Prefix: 011
National Prefix: 1
Regulatory Body: Bureau Telecommunication and Post Sint Maarten (BTP)

Overview

This guide offers a comprehensive look at Sint Maarten's telephone numbering system, crucial for telecom professionals, developers, and systems administrators. It covers local number formats, dialing procedures, and regulatory guidelines.

Number Formats

Sint Maarten adheres to the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), shared with the US, Canada, and other Caribbean nations. The standard phone number format is:

+1 721 NXX XXXX

General Number Structure

Country Code: +1
Area Code: 721
Subscriber Number Length: 7 digits (NXX XXXX)

Number Formats by Type

Type	Format	Example	Description
Landline	`+1 721 5XX XXXX`	+1 721 542 1234	Typically starts with `5XX`, where `X` can be any digit between 0-9.
Mobile	`+1 721 5XX XXXX`	+1 721 520 1234	Typically starts with `5XX`, where `X` can be any digit between 0-9.
Toll-Free	`+1 800 XXX XXXX`	+1 800 123 4567	Follows the North American toll-free format, starting with `800`.
Premium Rate	`+1 900 XXX XXXX`	+1 900 123 4567	Premium rate services, typically starting with `900`.

Regular Expressions for Number Validation

For developers, use these regex patterns to validate Sint Maarten phone numbers:

General Numbers:
```
^\+1\s721\s[2-9]\d{2}\s\d{4}$
```
Landline Numbers:
```
^\+1\s721\s5[2-8]\d\s\d{4}$
```
Mobile Numbers:
```
^\+1\s721\s5[0-9]\d\s\d{4}$
```
Toll-Free Numbers:
```
^\+1\s800\s\d{3}\s\d{4}$
```
Premium Rate Numbers:
```
^\+1\s900\s\d{3}\s\d{4}$
```

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

Landline to Landline: Dial 1 + 721 + NXX XXXX
Landline to Mobile: Dial 1 + 721 + NXX XXXX
Mobile to Mobile: Dial 1 + 721 + NXX XXXX

International Calls

Outgoing: Dial 011 + Country Code + Area Code + Subscriber Number
Incoming: From abroad, dial +1 721 followed by the NXX XXXX.

Recent and Upcoming Changes

Currently, there are no significant changes to Sint Maarten’s numbering plan. Stay updated by visiting the Bureau Telecommunication and Post Sint Maarten for the latest information.

Number Portability

Sint Maarten supports mobile number portability (MNP), allowing users to retain their numbers when changing service providers, ensuring continuity in communications.

Major Telecom Operators

TelEm Group: Uses prefixes like 520, 521, 522 for mobile services.
UTS (United Telecommunication Services): Uses prefixes like 580, 581, 582.

ITU Standards

Sint Maarten complies with the ITU-T E.164 standard for international telephone numbering, ensuring global uniqueness and compatibility.

Number Allocation and Management

The Bureau Telecommunication and Post Sint Maarten (BTP) oversees the allocation and management of phone numbers, ensuring efficient use and availability.

Technical Restrictions and Special Cases

Golden Numbers: Premium numbers available for purchase.
Number Blocking: Certain numbers may be blocked for security or regulatory reasons.

Technical Considerations for Developers

Validation: Use provided regex for correct formatting.
Formatting: Store numbers in international format (+1 721 NXX XXXX) for global compatibility.
Portability: Consider mobile number portability to avoid routing issues.
Rate Limiting: Implement to prevent abuse of premium rate numbers.

For the latest telecom regulations in Sint Maarten, visit the Bureau Telecommunication and Post Sint Maarten.