Phone Numbers in Tanzania

Quick Reference

Country: Tanzania
Country Code: +255
International Prefix: 00[056]
National Prefix: 0

Overview

Explore the intricacies of Tanzania's telephone numbering system, including number formats, dialing rules, and telecom infrastructure. This guide is essential for telecom professionals, developers, and system administrators seeking detailed insights into Tanzania's phone systems.

Number Formats

General Number Structure

Tanzania's phone numbers comply with the ITU-T E.164 standard, facilitating global communication.

Country Code: +255
National (Significant) Number: 9 digits
National Prefix: 0 (for domestic calls)

Number Format Breakdown

Type of Number	Format	Example Numbers	Description
Geographic Numbers	`2[2-8]XXXXXXX`	222123456, 288765432	Landline numbers for fixed-line telephony.
Mobile Numbers	`6[125-9]XXXXXXX`, `7[13-9]XXXXXXX`	621234567, 713456789	Numbers used by mobile operators.
Toll-Free Numbers	`80[08]XXXXXX`	800123456, 808654321	National and international toll-free services.
Premium Numbers	`90XXXXXXX`	901234567, 902345678	Premium-rate services for special content or services.
Shared Cost Numbers	`840XXXXXX`, `86[01]XXXXXX`	840123456, 860987654	Shared cost services, splitting costs between caller and recipient.

Regular Expressions for Number Validation

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

# Geographic Numbers
^2[2-8]\d{7}$

# Mobile Numbers
^6[125-9]\d{7}$|^7[13-9]\d{7}$

# Toll-Free Numbers
^80[08]\d{6}$

# Premium Numbers
^90\d{7}$

# Shared Cost Numbers
^840\d{6}$|^86[01]\d{6}$

Dialing Rules

Domestic Calls

Landline to Landline: Dial 0 + geographic number (e.g., 0221234567).
Landline to Mobile: Dial 0 + mobile number (e.g., 0712345678).
Mobile to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly (e.g., 0712345678).

International Calls

Outgoing: Dial 00 + country code + subscriber number (e.g., 00441234567890 for UK).
Incoming: Dial +255 + national number without leading 0 (e.g., +255712345678).

Regional Calls

To Kenya: Dial 005 + Kenyan number.
To Uganda: Dial 006 + Ugandan number.
From Kenya/Uganda to Tanzania: Dial 007 + Tanzanian number.

Number Portability

Tanzania supports mobile number portability (MNP), allowing users to retain their numbers when switching providers. This service is regulated by the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA).

Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

Operator	Number Range(s)
Airtel Tanzania	+255 78, +255 79
Vodacom Tanzania	+255 74, +255 75, +255 76
Zantel	+255 77
Halotel	+255 61, +255 62
Tigo	+255 65, +255 67, +255 71
Smile	+255 66

Regulatory Body

The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) manages phone number allocation in Tanzania. For updates and regulations, visit their official website.

Recent and Upcoming Changes

In December 2023, TCRA announced updates to the national numbering plan, including new number ranges and signaling point code adjustments to meet growing demand.

Technical Considerations

Number Allocation and Management

Tanzania's phone numbers are allocated per a structured national numbering plan managed by TCRA, ensuring organized distribution and efficient resource use.

Special Cases

Golden Numbers: Highly sought-after, often used for business or VIP services. Specific allocation rules may apply.
Number Blocking: Some ranges may be blocked due to regulatory or security concerns.

ITU-T Standards

Tanzania adheres to ITU-T E.164 for international numbering and ITU-T E.123 for the notation of national and international numbers.

Technical Considerations for Developers

Validation: Use the provided regex for Tanzanian phone number validation.
Portability: Ensure systems handle mobile number portability for service continuity.
Dialing Logic: Implement logic for domestic, international, and regional calls.