Understanding Phone Numbers in Zimbabwe

Quick Reference Guide

• Country: Zimbabwe
• Country Code: +263
• International Prefix: 00
• National Prefix: 0

Overview

This comprehensive guide delves into the intricacies of Zimbabwe's telephone numbering system. It covers phone number structures, dialing methods, and regulatory updates, providing essential insights for telecom professionals, developers, and system administrators managing Zimbabwean phone numbers.

Number Formats

General Number Structure

Zimbabwean phone numbers are organized based on service type, such as landline, mobile, or toll-free. Here's a breakdown:

• Country Code: +263
• National (Trunk) Prefix: 0 (for domestic calls)
• Area Code: 1-2 digits (for geographic numbers)
• Subscriber Number: 6-8 digits

Regex Patterns for Phone Numbers

To validate Zimbabwean phone numbers, use these regular expressions:

# General Number Format
^(?:\+263|0)(?:
  (2[0-57-9]\d{6,8})|   # Geographic numbers
  (6[0-24-9]\d{6,7})|   # Geographic numbers
  ([38]\d{9})|          # Mobile numbers
  ([35-8]\d{8})|        # Mobile numbers
  ([3-6]\d{7})|         # Mobile numbers
  ([1-689]\d{6})|       # Short codes
  ([1-3569]\d{5})|      # Short codes
  ([1356]\d{4})         # Short codes
)$

# Landline Number Format
^(?:\+263|0)(?:
  (13\d{7})|            # Harare
  (29\d{7})|            # Bulawayo
  (20\d{7})|            # Mutare
  (54\d{7})|            # Gweru
  (39\d{7})             # Masvingo
)$

# Mobile Number Format
^(?:\+263|0)(7[1278]\d{6})$  # Mobile numbers (NetOne, Telecel, Econet)

Number Format Examples

• Geographic Numbers:
  • Harare: +263 24 2791234
  • Bulawayo: +263 29 2234567
• Mobile Numbers:
  • NetOne: +263 71 2345678
  • Telecel: +263 73 3456789
  • Econet: +263 77 4567890
• Toll-Free Numbers:
  • TelOne: +263 800 1234
  • NetOne: +263 801 5678
  • Econet: +263 808 9012

Detailed Number Format Table

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

• Landline to Landline: Dial 0 followed by the area code and subscriber number. Example: 024 2791234.
• Landline to Mobile: Dial 0 followed by the mobile number. Example: 077 4567890.
• Mobile to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly. Example: 073 3456789.

International Calls

• Outgoing from Zimbabwe: Dial 00 followed by the country code, area code, and subscriber number. Example: 00 44 20 71234567 (to the UK).
• Incoming to Zimbabwe: Dial the international access code, followed by 263, the area code, and the subscriber number. Example: +263 24 2791234.

Number Portability

Zimbabwe supports mobile number portability (MNP), allowing users to retain their numbers when switching between operators like NetOne, Telecel, and Econet.

Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

Regulatory Body

The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) oversees the country's telephone numbering plan. Visit their official website for the latest updates.

Recent or Upcoming Changes

In 2018, POTRAZ updated the national numbering plan, allocating new number blocks to Econet Wireless. No further changes have been announced.

Technical Considerations

Number Allocation and Management

POTRAZ manages phone number allocation, assigning blocks to telecom operators for distribution to subscribers.

Special Cases

• Golden Numbers: No specific public regulations on golden numbers.
• Number Blocking: Information on number blocking practices is not publicly available.

ITU-T Standards

Zimbabwe adheres to ITU-T recommendations, including E.164, which defines the international numbering plan. The country code +263 is assigned by the ITU.

Technical Considerations for Developers

When integrating Zimbabwean phone numbers into software systems, consider:

• Validation: Utilize the provided regex patterns.
• Formatting: Maintain consistent phone number formatting in databases.
• Portability: Implement features that accommodate mobile number portability.