Telephone numbers in Cyprus
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Cyprus adopted a closed telephone numbering plan on 1st December 2001. As a result, for fixed phone numbers the digit 2 followed by the old area code was affixed to the subscriber number and for mobile phones 99 was affixed to the mobile phone number.
Country Code: 357
Previously, fixed line numbers consisted of the trunk code 0, the area code, and a six-digit number.
Fixed number in Nicosia called from Nicosia : xxxxxx Fixed number in Nicosia called from inside Cyprus: 22 xxxxxx Fixed number in Nicosia called from abroad : +357 2 xxxxxx
Under the new system, these changed to numbers with eight digits, to be dialled from within Cyprus or abroad.
Fixed number in Nicosia called from inside Cyprus: 22 xxxxxx Fixed number in Nicosia called from abroad: +357 22 xxxxxx
Mobile phone numbers had the prefix 99, followed by six digits, which had to be dialled in full.
Mobile phone number called from within Cyprus: 99 xxxxxx Mobile phone number called from abroad : +357 99 xxxxxx
As with fixed line numbers, under the new system, these changed to numbers with eight digits, to be dialled from within Cyprus or abroad.
Mobile phone number called from within Cyprus: 99 xxxxxx Mobile phone number called from abroad after 12/2001: +357 99 xxxxxx
99 is assigned to CYTAmobile-Vodafone (which was the only mobile phone carrier until 2004) and 96 is assigned to the new mobile phone operator Areebawhich as from September 1, 2007 has been renamed to MTN. Numbering portability between the two networks is possible and many 99 numbers now operate on the Areeba network and vice-versa.
All numbers (except short codes) in Cyprus now have eight digits and thus the new numbering plan's promotional logo (in advertising) was an octopus called TESA (from Greek Τελικό Εθνικό Σχέδιο Αριθμοδότησης Final National Numbering Plan) [1].
[edit] The situation in Northern Cyprus
In the Turkish-occupied North of the island, the Turkish numbering plan is in use. The Turkish area code 0392 has been assigned for use with fixed telephone lines, with 0533 being used for mobiles, while the Turkish country code +90 is used for calls from the rest of the world.
For calls from the Republic to the Northern part of the island the code 0139 followed by the 7-digit subscriber number is used, which are charged at local call rates. 0139 is still used for direct calls to the occupied North even after the numbering plan change of December 2001.
For calls from the North to the Republic, area code 0123 is used but the call is charged at international rates. It is also possible to use the international prefix 00357.
These direct telephone connections between the two halves of the island are operated by the United Nations exchange, which allows direct telephone calls between the two communities is in place since 4th May 1998.
After 2nd March 2003, direct international calls from Cyprus to Turkey are possible and now callers from the Republic of Cyprus can call the North through Turkey dialling 0090 392 xxxxxxx as well as using 0139 (although in this case calls will be charged at international rates).
