Understanding Phone Numbers in Tonga

Quick Reference Guide

• Country: Tonga
• Country Code: +676
• International Prefix: 00
• National Prefix: None

Overview of Tonga's Telephone System

This comprehensive guide delves into the technical aspects of Tonga's telephone numbering plan, covering formats, dialing procedures, and regulatory insights. Essential for telecom professionals and developers, this resource ensures you understand the intricacies of Tonga's telecommunications system.

Number Formats in Tonga

General Structure

Tonga's phone numbers follow a straightforward structure:

• Country Code: +676
• Area Codes: Not applicable; Tonga does not utilize area codes.
• Subscriber Number Length: Typically 5 to 7 digits.
• Prefixes: Used to distinguish between landline, mobile, and special services.

Detailed Number Formats

Type	Format	Example	Description
Landline	[2-8]XXXX	24567	5-digit subscriber numbers starting with 2-8.
Mobile	7XXXX	71234	5-digit subscriber numbers starting with 7.
Toll-Free	0800XXX	0800123	7-digit numbers starting with 0800.
Special Services	999	999	3-digit emergency number.

Regular Expressions for Validation

To validate and process these numbers, use the following regular expressions:

• Landline Numbers: /^[2-8]\d{4}$/
• Mobile Numbers: /^7\d{4}$/
• Toll-Free Numbers: /^0800\d{3}$/
• Special Services: /^999$/

Dialing Procedures in Tonga

Domestic Calls

• Landline to Landline: Dial the 5-digit subscriber number directly.
• Landline to Mobile: Dial the 5-digit mobile number directly.
• Mobile to Mobile: Dial the 5-digit mobile number directly.

International Calls

• Outgoing: Dial 00 (international prefix), followed by the country code, and then the local number. For example, to call the USA, dial 00 1 XXX XXX XXXX.
• Incoming: International callers should dial +676 followed by the local 5-digit number.

Number Portability

Currently, Tonga does not offer mobile or fixed-line number portability. Subscribers cannot retain their numbers when switching providers.

Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

Operator	Service Type	Number Ranges
Digicel Tonga	Mobile	7XXXX
Tonga Communications Corporation (TCC)	Landline & Mobile	2XXXX, 3XXXX, 4XXXX, 5XXXX, 6XXXX, 7XXXX, 8XXXX

Regulatory and Management Information

• Regulatory Body: The Ministry of MEIDECC oversees telecommunications regulation and management in Tonga.
• Number Allocation: Managed by MEIDECC based on demand and regulatory needs.

Technical Considerations

Number Validation

When developing systems for Tonga's phone numbers, ensure:

• Validation according to the provided regular expressions.
• Correct formatting for both domestic and international contexts.
• Consideration of the absence of number portability.

ITU-T Standards Compliance

Tonga's numbering plan aligns with the ITU-T E.164 recommendation, defining the international public telecommunication numbering plan.

Special Cases

• Golden Numbers: Not applicable in Tonga.
• Number Blocking: No specific policies, but standard telecom regulations apply.

Note: For the latest updates on telecommunications regulations in Tonga, visit the official MEIDECC website.

Recent Changes and Future Updates

As of the latest update, there have been no significant changes to Tonga's numbering plan. Future changes will be announced by MEIDECC.

Conclusion

A thorough understanding of Tonga's phone number formats and dialing procedures is crucial for telecommunications and international business professionals. This guide provides the necessary technical details for compliance and accuracy in handling Tonga's phone numbers.