Understanding Phone Numbers in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Quick Reference Guide
- Country: U.S. Virgin Islands
- Country Code: +1
- International Prefix: 011
- National Prefix: 1
- Area Code: 340 (applies to all regions)
Overview of U.S. Virgin Islands Phone Numbers
The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) adhere to the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), a standardized system used across the United States, Canada, and other countries. This guide offers a detailed look at the structure, formats, and dialing procedures for phone numbers in the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing essential insights for telecom professionals, developers, and systems administrators.
Number Structure Explained
Standard Number Format
The typical phone number format in the U.S. Virgin Islands is:
+1 340 NXX-XXXX
- +1: Country code for NANP.
- 340: Area code specific to the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- NXX: Central office code (N can be any digit from 2 to 9, X can be any digit from 0 to 9).
- XXXX: Subscriber number (any four digits).
Number Format Table
| Type | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Geographic | +1 340 NXX-XXXX | +1 340 774-1234 |
| Mobile | +1 340 NXX-XXXX | +1 340 642-5678 |
| Toll-Free | +1 800 XXX-XXXX | +1 800 555-1234 |
| Premium Rate | +1 900 XXX-XXXX | +1 900 123-4567 |
Validating with Regular Expressions
To validate U.S. Virgin Islands phone numbers, use these regular expressions:
- General Format:
^\+1\s340\s[2-9]\d{2}-\d{4}$ - Toll-Free Numbers:
^\+1\s800\s\d{3}-\d{4}$ - Premium Rate Numbers:
^\+1\s900\s\d{3}-\d{4}$
Dialing Procedures
Domestic Calls
- Landline to Landline: Dial the seven-digit number directly (NXX-XXXX).
- Landline to Mobile: Dial the seven-digit number directly (NXX-XXXX).
- Mobile to Mobile: Dial the seven-digit number directly (NXX-XXXX).
- Landline/Mobile to Toll-Free: Dial 1 + 800 + XXX-XXXX.
- Landline/Mobile to Premium Rate: Dial 1 + 900 + XXX-XXXX.
International Calls
- Outgoing (from U.S. Virgin Islands): Dial 011 + [Country Code] + [Area Code] + [Local Number].
- Incoming (to U.S. Virgin Islands): Dial your international exit code + 1 + 340 + NXX-XXXX.
Number Portability
The U.S. Virgin Islands support number portability, allowing users to retain their phone numbers when switching between service providers. This applies to both mobile and landline numbers. The portability process is governed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Major Telecom Operators
The primary telecom operators in the U.S. Virgin Islands include:
- Viya: The largest telecom provider in the USVI, offering both mobile and landline services.
- AT&T: Provides mobile services in the region.
- Sprint: Operates under T-Mobile's network, offering mobile services.
| Operator | Service Type | Number Ranges |
|---|---|---|
| Viya | Landline/Mobile | 340-774-XXXX |
| AT&T | Mobile | 340-642-XXXX |
| Sprint | Mobile | 340-690-XXXX |
ITU-T Recommendations
The U.S. Virgin Islands conform to ITU-T Recommendation E.164, which standardizes international telephone numbering plans. This ensures compatibility with global telecommunications systems.
Number Allocation and Management
Number allocation and management in the U.S. Virgin Islands are overseen by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC is responsible for assigning number blocks to telecom operators and ensuring that the numbering plan complies with NANP standards.
Technical Restrictions and Special Cases
- Golden Numbers: There are no specific regulations regarding golden numbers in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Number Blocking: Users can block specific numbers through their telecom provider, subject to the provider's policies.
Technical Considerations for Developers
For developers and systems administrators working with U.S. Virgin Islands phone numbers:
- Normalization: Always store numbers in the international format (
+1 340 NXX-XXXX) to ensure consistency. - Validation: Use regular expressions to validate phone numbers before processing.
- Portability: Implement systems that can handle number portability, ensuring that users can retain their numbers when switching providers.
- Compliance: Ensure that your systems comply with ITU-T E.164 and NANP standards.
Info: For the most up-to-date information on telecommunications regulations in the U.S. Virgin Islands, please consult the official website of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).