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An international call prefix (also called an international access code or an International Direct Dialling (IDD) code) is a telephone dialling code used to dial out of a country when making an international call. These codes are different from the unique country calling code every country has which is used to dial into that country.

When making a call between countries, the caller must first dial the international call prefix, then the destination country calling code, then (usually) an area code, then the local phone number.

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) recommends 00 as the general standard for an international call prefix, and this has been implemented by a large number of countries, but not all of them.[1] This page only lists the exceptions, but rapid developments may make this list out of date. For one full list of codes by country see [1]

When phone numbers are published for use abroad they typically include the country calling code, but show a plus sign (+) prefix in place of any international call prefix, to signify that the caller should use the prefix code appropriate for their country.[2]

Many phones allow this "+" to be entered in their saved number lists, often by holding down the '0' key (most GSM mobile phones) or with two consecutive presses of the * key. When making a call the system then automatically converts the "+" to the correct international prefix, depending on where the phone is being used, which enables callers to use the same stored number from any country.

Example

1. If a caller in the USA or Canada wants to call the Mayor of Dunedin, New Zealand, they would dial 0116434774000. (The generic international call prefix from North American Numbering Plan countries is 011, then the country code for New Zealand is 64, the area code for Dunedin is 3, and the local number for the Dunedin City Council is 477 4000).

2. If a caller in Japan wants to call the same number, they would instead dial 0106434774000.

3. For callers in the UK or China, or in any other country using the ITU recommended 00 prefix, to call the same number they would instead dial 006434774000.

Variations

Some Telecommunications service providers or Mobile network operators (wireless carriers) have different international call prefix codes which callers or subscribers can use to route calls through specific networks, sometimes with special pricing arrangements.

Many countries also provide alternative dialling arrangements for calls to neighbouring countries.[3]

Some of these variations from the generic codes are shown in the list below (but may be out of date).

Countries by International Prefix

Historic International Prefixes

Notes and References

  1. ^ International Telecommunication Union (ITU-T), E.164 - 12 (Page 22)
  2. ^ International Telecommunication Union (ITU-T), E.123 - 7.1 (Page 9)
  3. ^ https://support.t-mobile.com/knowbase/root/public/tm22532.htm

See also

External links

   
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