Area code 868
The area code 868 is assigned to Trinidad and Tobago, a member of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). The telephone numbering plan for the country is known as the National Numbering Plan.[1] It is part of a system used for assigning telephone numbers in Trinidad and Tobago, and functions as a part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). It is regulated by the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, which holds responsibility for telecommunications in the country.[2]
 Location of Trinidad and Tobago | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Country | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Continent | North America |
| Membership | NANP |
| Type | Closed |
| Format | +1 868 nxx xxxx |
| Access codes | |
| Country code | +1 |
| International access | 011 |
| Long-distance | 1 |
| List of Trinidad and Tobago dialing codes | |
Due to a long established affiliation with NANP,[3] phone numbers in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago are often styled as "(868) NXX-xxxx". However, the International Telecommunications Union's standards such as E.164[4] and E.123 both strongly advocate the inclusion of a "+1" prefix to indicate "868" is a part of the NANP.[5]
History
Area code 868 ("TNT") was created during a split from the original Area code 809 with permissive dialing beginning 1 June 1997.[6] With the end of permissive dialing on 31 May 1998, all calls placed to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago required the use of the +1 868 prefix.[6] The local telephone regulator proposed the area code 868, which corresponds to "TNT"—an abbreviation for Trinidad and Tobago—to reflect the nation's identity within the NANP.
Dialing to Trinidad and Tobago
- From within North America (NANP)
When calling Trinidad and Tobago from elsewhere in the North American Numbering Plan (e.g., from the United States or Canada), callers dial as if undertaking regular ten-digit dialing within those countries. Callers must simply dial 1 + 868 + seven digit phone number.
- From outside NANP
When calling to Trinidad and Tobago from outside the NANP (e.g., from the United Kingdom), callers must dial their international dialing prefix followed by 1 to access the North American Numbering Plan. For example, a call placed from the United Kingdom would be dialled as 00 + 1 + 868 + local seven digit phone number.
Dialing within Trinidad and Tobago
When placing a phone call from Trinidad and Tobago, also known as HNPA (home numbering plan area) dialing, callers simply use seven-digit dialing (i.e. dialing the last seven digits of the phone number).
- To North America (NANP)
When calling other places in the North American Numbering Plan, callers dial as if undertaking regular ten-digit dialing in those countries. Callers dial 1 + NPA area code + seven digit phone number.
Though usually toll-free when dialed from the US, not all 1-800 phone numbers are toll-free when dialed from Trinidad and Tobago, and may be treated as a toll call.
- To areas outside the NANP
When calling to areas outside the NANP (e.g., the United Kingdom), callers dial 011 + country calling code + phone number. In the case of the UK, a user would dial 011 + 44 + UK phone number.
Notes
- Admin. (2010). "National Numbering Plan: Central Office (CO) Codes and Home Network Identifier (HNI)". Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT). Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
- "Who We Are". Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT). 2010. Archived from the original on 30 August 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
- "Affiliations and Memoranda of Understanding". Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT). 2010. Archived from the original on 5 September 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
Trinidad & Tobago is a participating country in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), which is the basic numbering scheme throughout the US, Canada, the Bahamas and 16 Caribbean countries.
- Admin. (2008). "E.164 : The international public telecommunication numbering plan". International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
- Admin. (2008). "E.123 : Notation for national and international telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and Web addresses". International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
- NANP Administration System (July 2010). "Planning Letter(s): IL96/06-001". NeuStar, Inc. NANP System administrator. Archived from the original on 28 June 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
- "Directory Assistance 6411". Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (TSTT). 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
References
- Admin. (2001). "Trinidad and Tobago National Numbering Plan". International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
External links
- Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago
- North American Numbering Plan Administrator
- List of exchanges from AreaCodeDownload.com, 868 Area Code
| North: 246, 473 | ||
| West: Country code +58 in Venezuela | Area code 868 | East: Atlantic Ocean |
| South: Country code +58 in Venezuela | ||
| Barbados area codes: 246 | ||
| Grenada area codes: 473 | ||