Lebanon Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Lebanese phone number formats, validation, and best practices for developers. It covers key aspects of working with Lebanese phone numbers, from basic structure to advanced implementation considerations, including carrier information and number portability.

Quick Reference

• Country: Lebanon
• Country Code: +961
• International Prefix: 00 (from landlines) / + (from mobiles)
• National Prefix: 0
• Regulatory Authority: Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) (http://www.tra.gov.lb/)
• NSN Length: 8 digits

Understanding Lebanese Phone Number Formats

Lebanon's phone numbering system blends fixed-line and mobile networks, regulated by the TRA. Adhering to the ITU-T E.164 standard, Lebanese international numbers have a maximum length of 15 digits.

Core Structure

• International Format: +961 X XXXXXX (Example: +961 1 234567)
• National Format: 0X XXXXXX (Example: 01 234567)

Best Practice: Store phone numbers in your database using the international format (+961XXXXXXXX) without spaces or special characters. This ensures consistency and simplifies processing.

Number Categories and Prefixes

Lebanese numbers are categorized by their prefix, indicating the type of service:

Note: While prefixes generally indicate service type, number portability can make these less reliable. Always validate using a comprehensive approach.

Implementing Robust Validation

Accurate validation is crucial for handling Lebanese phone numbers. Avoid relying solely on prefixes due to number portability.

Regular Expressions for Validation

Here are refined regular expressions for validating different number types:

// International format validation
const internationalPattern = /^\+961[1-9]\d{6,7}$/;

// National format validation (more complex due to prefix variations)
const nationalPattern = /^0(?:[14-79][\d]{6}|3(?:[\d]{6}|[0-9][\d]{7})|7(?:0|1|6|8|9)[\d]{6}|81[2-8]\d{5})$/;

// Example usage
function isValidLebaneseNumber(number) {
  return internationalPattern.test(number) || nationalPattern.test(number);
}

Formatting and Sanitization

Consistent formatting improves data quality and user experience.

function sanitizePhoneNumber(input) {
  return input.replace(/\D/g, ''); // Remove all non-digit characters
}

function formatLebaneseNumber(number) {
  const cleaned = sanitizePhoneNumber(number);
  return cleaned.length === 8 ? `+961${cleaned}` : (cleaned.startsWith('961') ? `+${cleaned}` : null);
}

Carrier Considerations and Number Portability

Lebanon has two main mobile operators:

• Alfa (MIC1): Prefixes 03, 70, 71, and some 07x numbers.
• Touch (MIC2): Prefixes 76, 78, 79, and some 07x, 03x, and 081x numbers.
• Ogero Telecom: Primarily handles landlines (01, 04, 05, 06, 07, and 09).

Number Portability: Subscribers can switch operators while keeping their number. This makes relying solely on prefixes for carrier identification unreliable.

Best Practices for Number Portability

• Real-time Lookup: Integrate a carrier lookup API for accurate identification.
• Caching: Cache carrier lookup results with a reasonable Time-To-Live (TTL) to balance accuracy and performance.
• Database Design: Store carrier information as a separate field in your database, allowing for updates.

Troubleshooting and Common Errors

• Leading Zero: Ensure the leading zero is included in national format but removed in international format.
• Invalid Area Codes: Refer to the prefix table for valid area codes.
• Incorrect Carrier Assumptions: Avoid assuming carrier based on prefix.

Best Practices for Developers

• Input Sanitization: Always sanitize user input to remove non-digit characters.
• Comprehensive Validation: Use robust regular expressions and consider carrier lookup APIs.
• Error Handling: Implement proper error handling to manage invalid numbers gracefully.
• Internationalization: Design your system to handle both national and international formats.
• Stay Updated: Monitor TRA regulations and updates for any changes to the numbering plan.

Additional Resources

• TRA Official Website: http://www.tra.gov.lb/
• ITU Allocations List: (Refer to the ITU website for the latest allocations.)

Conclusion

By following these guidelines, you can effectively manage Lebanese phone numbers in your applications, ensuring data integrity and a smooth user experience. Remember to prioritize accurate validation, handle number portability correctly, and stay informed about regulatory changes.