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China Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide
Quick Reference
Country: China
Country Code: +86
International Prefix: 00
National Prefix: 0
Overview
China's telephone numbering plan is a vital framework for telecom professionals, developers, and system administrators. This comprehensive guide delves into the structure of Chinese phone numbers, formats, dialing procedures, regulatory aspects, number allocation strategies, and recent advancements affecting the Chinese numbering plan. Understanding these elements is essential for effective telecommunications management and development within China.
China's telephone numbering system has undergone significant transformations to accommodate its vast population and the rapid expansion of telecommunications services. Initially, the numbering plan was straightforward, with landlines and mobile numbers sharing similar formats. However, with the advent of mobile technology and the proliferation of telecom operators, a more structured and scalable numbering system was essential.
Early Years: Landline numbers were primarily managed by state-owned enterprises, with area codes assigned based on geographic regions.
Mobile Expansion: The introduction of mobile networks necessitated the creation of distinct prefixes to differentiate mobile numbers from landlines.
Number Portability: Implemented to enhance competition among telecom operators, allowing users to retain their numbers when switching providers.
Recent Developments: Continuous updates to the numbering plan to incorporate new technologies and address the growing demand for phone numbers.
Regulatory Framework
Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is the primary regulatory body overseeing telecommunications in China. MIIT is responsible for:
Number Allocation: Assigning number blocks to telecom operators based on demand and regulatory guidelines.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring that all telecom operators adhere to national and international standards.
Policy Development: Formulating policies to guide the growth and management of telecommunications services.
Fraud Prevention: Implementing measures to combat telecom fraud and ensuring the integrity of the numbering plan.
Other Regulatory Bodies
Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC): Collaborates with MIIT in regulating online and telecommunications sectors, particularly concerning information security and fraud prevention.
Public Security Bureau (PSB): Works alongside MIIT to enforce regulations related to telecommunications fraud and illegal activities.
Number Formats
General Structure
Chinese phone numbers are categorized based on service type (landline, mobile) and location. The general structure includes:
Country Code: +86
Area Code: 2 to 4 digits (for landlines)
Mobile Prefix: 3 digits (for mobile numbers)
Subscriber Number: 7 to 8 digits
Number Format Table
Type
Format
Example
Landline (Beijing)
10 + XXXXXXXX
10-12345678
Landline (Guangzhou)
20 + XXXXXXX
20-1234567
Mobile
1XX-XXXX-XXXX
138-1234-5678
Toll-Free
800-XXXXXXX
800-1234567
Premium Rate
16X-XXXXX
160-80875
Shared Cost
400-XXXXXXX
400-1234567
Detailed Number Formats
Geographic Numbers (Landlines)
Landline numbers in China range from 10 to 12 digits, incorporating an area code and a subscriber number. The area code length varies based on the region's size and population density.
2-Digit Area Codes: Reserved for major cities with extensive telecommunications infrastructure.
Format: 10-XXXXXXXX (Beijing)
Example: 10-12345678
3-Digit Area Codes: Assigned to other significant cities.
Format: 20-XXXXXXX (Guangzhou)
Example: 20-1234567
4-Digit Area Codes: Utilized for smaller cities and regions.
Format: 728-XXXXXXX (Xiantao)
Example: 728-1234567
Mobile Numbers
Mobile numbers in China are standardized to 11 digits, ensuring a uniform structure across all telecom operators. The numbers are segmented into:
1XX-XXXX-XXXX
Example: 138-1234-5678
Mobile Number Portability (MNP) allows users to retain their mobile numbers when switching between operators, promoting competition and service quality.
Special Service Numbers
Special service numbers cater to specific needs, such as toll-free services, premium rate offerings, and shared-cost communications.
Toll-Free Numbers:
Formats: 800-XXXXXXX or 400-XXXXXXX
Example: 800-1234567
Premium Rate Numbers:
Format: 16X-XXXXX
Example: 160-80875
Shared Cost Numbers:
Format: 400-XXXXXXX or 950-XXXXXXX
Example: 400-1234567
Dialing Procedures
Domestic Calls
Within the Same Area:
Action: Dial the subscriber number directly.
Example: To call 12345678 within Beijing, dial 12345678.
Different Areas:
Action: Dial the national prefix 0, followed by the area code and the subscriber number.
Example: To call a Guangzhou number from Beijing, dial 020-1234567.
International Calls
Outgoing:
Action: Dial the international prefix 00, followed by the country code, area code, and subscriber number.
Example: To call the United States number +1-202-555-0123 from China, dial 00-1-202-555-0123.
Incoming:
Action: Dial +86, followed by the area code and the subscriber number.
Example: To call a Beijing number from the US, dial +86-10-12345678.
Number Portability
China has implemented Mobile Number Portability (MNP) nationwide since November 10, 2019. This allows users to retain their mobile numbers when switching between service providers, fostering a competitive market environment. MNP enhances consumer choice and encourages telecom operators to improve service quality to retain subscribers.
Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges
China's telecommunications market is dominated by three major operators, each assigned specific number ranges to differentiate their services.
Note: These prefixes are subject to change as new number ranges are introduced to accommodate the growing demand for phone numbers.
Operator-Specific Prefixes
Each telecom operator has distinct prefixes to identify their network. Understanding these prefixes can help in identifying the service provider of a particular mobile number.
Example: A mobile number starting with 138 (China Mobile) can be identified as belonging to China Mobile, although Number Portability may allow users to switch providers without changing their numbers.
Number Allocation and Management
Allocation Mechanism
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) oversees the allocation of number blocks to telecom operators. The allocation process ensures that number resources are utilized efficiently to meet the demands of China's vast population.
Request Submission:
Telecom operators must submit requests for additional number blocks based on their current usage and future projections.
Operators are required to demonstrate that a certain percentage of their allocated numbers are in use to avoid hoarding.
Evaluation:
MIIT assesses the requests based on factors like market demand, operator performance, and geographic distribution.
Projections on future number usage and technological advancements are considered.
Allocation:
Numbers are allocated in blocks to optimize resource utilization.
Sub-blocks may be assigned to operators for more granular management.
Pricing of Numbers
Currently, number allocations are provided to telecom operators without direct charges. However, to encourage efficient use of numbering resources and deter hoarding, introducing fees for number allocation is considered. Potential pricing models include:
One-Time Charge: A fixed fee per number or block.
Annual Charge: Recurring fees based on allocated or active numbers.
Proposed Fees:
Mobile Numbers: ¥5.00 per number
Fixed Numbers: ¥1.00 per number
These charges aim to promote optimal allocation, ensuring that numbering resources remain sustainable and adequately meet the demands of China's expanding telecommunications landscape.
Technical Considerations
Regular Expressions for Validation
Developers handling Chinese phone numbers can utilize the following regular expressions for validation:
Landline (2-digit area code): ^10\d{8}$
Landline (3-digit area code): ^20\d{7}$
Mobile: ^1[3-9]\d{9}$
Toll-Free: ^800\d{7}$
Premium Rate: ^16[08]\d{5}$
Shared Cost: ^400\d{7}$
Special Cases
Golden Numbers
Definition: Highly desirable numbers due to simplicity or repetition (e.g., 138-0000-0000).
Usage: Often sold at premium rates by telecom operators.
Impact: Can enhance brand prestige and customer satisfaction.
Number Blocking
Purpose: To mitigate spam and fraud, certain numbers may be blocked by operators.
Implementation: Regulatory bodies work with telecom operators to identify and block malicious numbers.
User Impact: Ensures safer communication channels for users.
Number Portability Implications
MNP Impact: Allows users to switch telecom operators without changing their numbers.
Management: Requires dynamic management strategies to maintain number allocation integrity.
Benefit: Enhances competition and service quality among telecom operators.
Future Developments
Next Generation Networks (NGN)
Next Generation Networks (NGN) represent the future of telecommunications in China, integrating fixed and mobile networks to deliver high-speed data, voice, and video services over a unified IP-based infrastructure. Key aspects include:
Convergence: Seamless integration of Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), mobile, and internet services.
Scalability: Enhanced capacity to handle increasing data traffic and user demands.
Flexibility: Support for innovative services and applications, including VoIP, IoT, and 5G technologies.
Impact of Number Portability
The introduction of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) has streamlined numbering administration by allowing the transfer of numbers between operators without altering their original allocation. Future implications include:
Efficient Resource Utilization: Reduced need for new number allocations, promoting optimal use of existing resources.
Enhanced Competition: Operators are incentivized to improve service quality to retain subscribers.
Administrative Simplification: Easier management of numbering resources amidst operator changes.
Recent Changes to the Numbering Plan
While the core structure of China's numbering plan remains aligned with ITU-T Recommendation E.164, recent updates focus on:
Implementation of MNP: Enhancing flexibility and competition among mobile operators.
Introduction of New Prefixes: Allocating new number ranges to accommodate the growing demand for mobile numbers.
Fraud Prevention Measures: Strengthening mechanisms to combat telecom fraud and ensure number allocation integrity.
Technological Integration: Adapting the numbering plan to incorporate advancements like 5G, IoT, and NGN.
From within Mainland China, the following emergency numbers are used:
110 – Police
119 – Fire Brigade
120 – Ambulance
122 – Traffic Accident
999 – Privately Operated Ambulance (Beijing ONLY)
Note: Emergency numbers assist in both Mandarin Chinese and English.
Recent Enhancements
Starting from 2012 in Shenzhen, an implemented system upgrade unified three emergency reporting services into one number, 110. A similar approach is being installed in more cities across China to enhance convenience and accessibility.
Error Handling: Dialing 112, 911, and 999 outside Beijing without the area code 010 triggers a recording message about the correct emergency numbers in both Chinese and English.
China Mobile & China Unicom Phones: Play a recorded message.
China Telecom Phones: Display "Number does not exist" with no service redirection.
Additional Information
Chinese International Dialing Codes
China has multiple international dialing codes for its regions:
Region
Dialing Code
Mainland China
+86
Hong Kong
+852
Macau
+853
Taiwan
+886
North American Numbering Plan (NANP)
+1
United Kingdom
+44
Japan
+81
Note: Mainland China uses +86, while Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan have their distinct dialing codes.
How to Identify China Phone Codes
Identifying whether a Chinese phone number is a mobile or a landline, and determining its location, can help verify the legitimacy of contacts. Examples include:
Mobile Number without International Code: 150XXXXXXXX (11-digits)
Mobile Number with International Code: +86135XXXXXXXX (country code + 11-digits)
Landline Number without International Code: 021 XXXX XXXX (area code + 8 digits)
Landline Number with International Code: +86 (0)756 XXX XXXX (country code + area code + 7 digits)
Note: China landline numbers are always 7 or 8 digits long, and the "0" from the area code is omitted when calling from overseas.