Special country codes
While most country codes apply to specific countries or territories, there are some which have special regional or global functions. Some country codes are also set aside for experimental communication technologies, often for a limited time period.
800 - Universal International Freephone Number (UIFN)
Country code 800 is used for global toll-free numbers which are free of charge to call from anywhere in the world. In practice this service is not universally implemented, though they can be reached from many countries. Subscriber numbers are currently 8 digits long (+800-XXXX-XXXX). For more information see the ITU's UIFN page.
808 - Universal International Shared Cost Number (UISCN)
Country code 808 is reserved for the International Shared Cost Service, which will allow callers to dial specified international numbers at the cost of a domestic call. This is an alternative to UIFN (see above) in which the recipient does not have to bear the entire cost of the call. The service is currently not active. For more information see the ITU's UISCN page.
870 - Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN)
A unified satellite-based communications network being phased in to replace the regional Inmarsat codes 871-874 (see below). Subscriber numbers are always 9 digits long (+870-XXX-XXX-XXX).
871-874 - Inmarsat
- 871 - Inmarsat Atlantic Ocean (east)
- 872 - Inmarsat Pacific Ocean
- 873 - Inmarsat Indian Ocean
- 874 - Inmarsat Atlantic Ocean (west)
These country codes are used for ship-based satellite communication systems, including voice and data. Calling these numbers can be very expensive.
881-882 - Global Mobile Satellite System (GMSS)
Country codes 881 and 882 are used for portable satellite phones such as those offered by Iridium, Thuraya, and Globalstar. Calling these numbers can be very expensive.
883 - Global networks
Country code 883 is set aside for global communication networks. Currently the only active user is Voxbone's iNum project, which allocates location-independent numbers for VoIP users, operating under the +883-5100 space. These can be called from many countries, often at low cost.
888 - Telecommunications for Disaster Relief (TDR)
Country code 888 has been assigned to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Its purpose is to facilitate communications by emergency responders in the event that a disaster has disrupted normal services. Numbers in this range may be re-assigned to other disaster areas as required, so they should not be assumed to be permanent.
979 - Universal International Premium Rate Number (UIPRN)
Country code 979 is reserved for premium-cost services delivered by telephone (similar to services which already exist in many countries). As of late 2010, the UIPRN system is not yet in active service. For more information see the ITU's UIPRN page
Unused codes
There are many potential country codes which are not currently in use. Some used to belong to countries which have since ceased to exist, others were used for experimental services that did not prove viable, and some have simply never been assigned.
The following codes are currently not in use:
Africa: 210, 211, 214, 215, 217, 219, 259, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 292, 294, 295, 296
Europe: 383, 384, 388, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429
Pacific: 671, 684, 693, 694, 695, 696, 697, 698, 699
East Asia and Miscellaneous: 801, 802, 803, 804, 805, 806, 807, 809, 830, 831, 832, 833, 834, 835, 836, 836, 838, 839, 851, 854, 857, 858, 859, 875, 876, 877, 878, 879, 884, 886, 887, 889, 890, 891, 892, 893, 894, 895, 896, 897, 898, 899
Middle East, South and West Asia: 969, 978, 990, 991, 997, 999