International call prefixes (also known as international dialing prefixes or international access codes) are the digits a caller must dial to initiate an international call. These prefixes grant access to the international telephone network and vary from country to country.
While landline systems typically require a specific prefix, GSM mobile phones allow users to simply dial + (plus) before the country code, which automatically connects through the appropriate international gateway.
Global Overview
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) recommends the use of 00 as the universal prefix. However, countries and regions have developed their own variations due to legacy infrastructure, regulatory differences, and national numbering plans.
Countries by International Prefix
0
Used in:
- Samoa
00 (ITU Standard Prefix)
Used in most of the world, including:
- Africa (except Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda)
- Asia (except a few in Central and East Asia)
- Europe (except Russia, Belarus, Abkhazia, and South Ossetia)
- Middle East (all countries)
- South America (except Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, and NANP countries)
- Oceania (except Australia)
000
Used in:
- Kenya
- Singapore
- Tanzania
- Uganda
001
Used in:
- Guyana
- Hong Kong (voice calls; 002 used for fax/data)
0011
Used in:
- Australia and Australian External Territories
009
Used in:
- Nigeria
00x (Carrier-Based Prefixes)
Used in multiple countries to select specific operators:
- Brazil – 0021 (Embratel), 0041 (TIM)
- Cambodia – 001 (Telecom Cambodia), 007 (Royal Telecom)
- Colombia – 005, 007, 009
- Indonesia – 001, 007, 008
- South Korea – Multiple carrier codes (001, 002, 005, etc.)
- Mongolia – 001, 002, 003, 008, 009
010
Used in:
- Japan
011
Used across the North American Numbering Plan (NANP):
- United States, Canada, and all U.S. territories
- Caribbean nations under NANP (e.g., Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago)
8~10
Used in:
- Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Abkhazia, South Ossetia
Countries Allowing Carrier Selection
Some countries allow users to choose between carriers by adding specific digits after the standard prefix.
Australia
- 0011 – Default
- 0014 – Primus
- 0018 – Telstra
- 0019 – Optus
Hong Kong
- 001 – Voice (default)
- 002 – Fax/Data
- 0030–0090 – Other carriers (e.g., Hutchison, PCCW, Wharf T&T)
Israel
- 012 – Smile
- 013 – NetVision
- 014 – Bezeq International
- 015–019 – Other telecom providers
Singapore
- 000 – Default carrier
- 001 – SingTel
- 002 – M1
- 008 – StarHub
Finland
Carrier-specific options with the prefix 99x or 995xx (e.g., Telia, Elisa, DNA).
Historic International Prefixes
Some prefixes are no longer in use but were once common:
| Old Prefix | Former Countries | New Prefix |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Bahrain, Malta, Myanmar | 00 |
| 001 | Japan | 010 |
| 007 | Malaysia | 00 |
| 009 | Denmark, Sweden | 00 |
| 010 | United Kingdom | 00 |
| 095 | Norway | 00 |
| 99 | India, Croatia, Serbia | 00 |
| 8~10 | Former Soviet Union | 00 |
Summary
The international call prefix is an essential component of the global telecommunication system, ensuring that local exchanges connect users to international networks. As mobile technology and VoIP services become more dominant, the use of the + symbol is now the preferred universal format, eliminating regional dialing inconsistencies.
