Phone Numbers in Turks and Caicos Islands: A Detailed Guide

Quick Reference

Country: Turks and Caicos Islands
Country Code: +1
International Prefix: 011
National Prefix: 1
Numbering Plan: North American Numbering Plan (NANP)

Overview

This comprehensive guide delves into the telephone numbering plan of the Turks and Caicos Islands, detailing the structure of phone numbers, dialing procedures, and recent developments. It's an essential resource for telecom professionals, developers, and anyone involved in telecommunications within the region.

Number Structure

General Number Format

The Turks and Caicos Islands adhere to the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), utilizing a 10-digit format:

Country Code: +1
Area Code (NPA): 649
Subscriber Number: Seven digits (XXX-XXXX)

Number Format Breakdown

Type	Format	Example	Regex Pattern
Landline	+1 649 NXX XXXX	+1 649 946 1234	`^$\+1$?649[2-9]\d{6}$`
Mobile	+1 649 NXX XXXX	+1 649 231 5678	`^$\+1$?649[2-9]\d{6}$`
Toll-Free	+1 800 XXX XXXX	+1 800 123 4567	`^$\+1$?800\d{7}$`
Premium Rate	+1 900 XXX XXXX	+1 900 123 4567	`^$\+1$?900\d{7}$`

Note: The area code "649" is unique to the Turks and Caicos Islands under the NANP.

Detailed Number Formats

Landline Numbers

Format: +1 649 NXX XXXX
Example: +1 649 946 1234
Regex: ^$\+1$?649[2-9]\d{6}$

Landline numbers begin with a central office code (NXX) where N is any digit from 2 to 9, followed by a 7-digit subscriber number.

Mobile Numbers

Format: +1 649 NXX XXXX
Example: +1 649 231 5678
Regex: ^$\+1$?649[2-9]\d{6}$

Mobile numbers follow the same format as landline numbers, with a central office code (NXX) and a 7-digit subscriber number.

Toll-Free Numbers

Format: +1 800 XXX XXXX
Example: +1 800 123 4567
Regex: ^$\+1$?800\d{7}$

Toll-free numbers follow the standard NANP format, starting with 800.

Premium Rate Numbers

Format: +1 900 XXX XXXX
Example: +1 900 123 4567
Regex: ^$\+1$?900\d{7}$

Premium rate numbers start with the 900 prefix for services with higher charges.

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

Landline to Landline: Dial the 7-digit subscriber number directly (NXX XXXX).
Landline to Mobile: Dial the 7-digit mobile number directly (NXX XXXX).
Mobile to Mobile: Dial the 7-digit mobile number directly (NXX XXXX).

International Calls

Outgoing: Dial 011 + [Country Code] + [Area Code] + [Subscriber Number].
- Example: To call a number in the US, dial 011 + 1 + Area Code + Subscriber Number.
Incoming: Dial +1 649 followed by the 7-digit local number.

Number Portability

Mobile Number Portability: Available, allowing subscribers to retain their mobile numbers when switching providers.

Major Telecom Operators

The major telecom operators in the Turks and Caicos Islands include:

Flow (formerly Cable & Wireless): Primary provider of both fixed-line and mobile services.
Digicel: Offers mobile services across the islands.

Regulatory Body

The telecommunications sector is regulated by the Turks and Caicos Islands Telecommunications Commission. For up-to-date information on regulations and number allocation, visit their official website.

Number Allocation and Management

The numbering plan is managed under the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA). The Turks and Caicos Islands Telecommunications Commission oversees local number allocation and adherence to NANP guidelines.

Technical Considerations

For Developers and System Administrators

When implementing support for Turks and Caicos Islands phone numbers, consider the following:

Validation: Use the provided regex patterns to validate phone numbers.
Formatting: Ensure numbers are stored and displayed in the international E.164 format (+1 649 NXX XXXX).
Portability: Account for mobile number portability, ensuring users can retain their numbers when switching providers.
Special Cases: Be aware of toll-free and premium rate number handling, especially in billing systems.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on telecommunications regulations in the Turks and Caicos Islands, please consult the official website of the Turks and Caicos Islands Telecommunications Commission.