Telephone numbers in Lesotho
Lesotho was allocated the country code +266 by the International Telecommunication Union in the late 1960s.[1] Phone numbers in are eight digits long, the first two digits being the area code. Previously, Lesotho had area codes, which were integrated into the South African telephone numbering plan, and calls could be made from South Africa using the regional code 050.[2] For example, to call a number in Maseru, subscribers would dial 0501, while to call a number in Mazenod, they would dial 05022.[3] From the rest of the world, subscribers would dial +266 1.[4]
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Country | Lesotho |
| Continent | Africa |
| Type | Closed |
| NSN length | 8 |
| Typical format | 0206406087 |
| Access codes | |
| Country calling code | +266 |
| International call prefix | 000 |
| Trunk prefix | n/a |
Area codes
- 22,28 Maseru Reserved for fixed
- 57,58,59 Reserved for cellular use
- 27,52 Reserved for fixed mobile (corporated direct)
- 6x Reserved for cellular use
Errata
There had been some interest in using part of this country's numbering scheme to run international SMS promotions or competitions, as when +CNN is spelt out on an E.161 standard telephone keypad, it translates to +266.[5] CNN's degree of interest in the idea was unknown at the time.
References
- White Book, Volume 2, Part 1, International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee, International Telecommunication Union, 1969, page 29
- Pretoria Telephone Directory, Department of Posts and Telecommunications, 1991, page 21
- Lesotho Telephone Directory, Lesotho. Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, Government Printer, 1973
- Lesotho, David Ambrose Winchester Press, 1983, page 846
- SMS company's message has ring of confidence, New Zealand Herald Jan 4, 2006