Telephone numbers in Cyprus
Cyprus adopted a closed telephone numbering plan on 1 December 2001. As a result, for land line phone numbers the digit 2 followed by the old area code was affixed to the subscriber number and for cellphones 9 was affixed to the mobile phone number.
Country Code: 357
Previously, land line numbers consisted of the trunk code 0, the area code, and a six-digit number.
- Land line number in Nicosia called from Nicosia :
- xxxxxx
- Land line number in Nicosia called from inside Cyprus (other than Nicosia):
- 02 xxxxxx
- Land line 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.
- Land line number in Nicosia called from inside Cyprus (including Nicosia):
- 22 xxxxxx
- Land line number in Nicosia called from abroad:
- +357 22 xxxxxx
Cellphone numbers had the prefix 09, followed by six digits, which had to be dialled in full.
- Cellphone number called from within Cyprus:
- 09 xxxxxx (during that period only 09 code was in use, from CYTA)
- Cellphone number called from abroad :
- +357 9 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.
- Cellphone number called from within Cyprus:
- 9x xxxxxx (where x is either 9 or 7 which belongs to CYTA or 6 which belongs to MTN)
- Cellphone number called from abroad after 12/2001:
- +357 9x xxxxxx
99 and 97 are assigned to CYTAmobile-Vodafone (which was the only mobile phone carrier until 2004) and 96 is assigned to MTN. Numbering portability between the two networks is possible and many 99 and 97 numbers now operate on the MTN 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].
The situation in Northern Cyprus
In Northern Cyprus, the Turkish numbering plan is in use. The Turkish area code 0392 has been assigned for use with landline numbers, with 0533 Kuzey Kibris Turkcell and 0542 KKTC Telsim being used for mobile phones, while the Turkish country code +90 is used for calls from the rest of the world.
For calls from the Republic of Cyprus to Northern Cyprus, 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 Northern Cyprus even after the numbering plan change of December 2001.
For calls from Northern Cyprus to the Republic of Cyprus, 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 4 May 1998.
After 2 March 2003, direct international calls from the Republic of Cyprus to Turkey are possible and now callers from the Republic of Cyprus can call Northern Cyprus through Turkey dialling 0090 392 xxxxxxx as well as using 0139 (although in this case calls will be charged at international rates).
