The United Kingdom has +44 as its country calling code or country dialing code. Who originally determined that allocation, and why that number?

The United Kingdom Country Calling Code +44: Allocation and Origins

Current Information

As of the year 2023, the United Kingdom country calling code or country dialing code is +44. This information can be found on various online sources, including:

• CountryCode.org, which lists country codes for all countries in the world.
• International-Phone-Search, which provides information on international phone codes.
• Telestial.com, a website that specializes in international SIM cards and provides information on country codes for international calling and texting.

How and Why +44 Was Allocated as the United Kingdom’s Country Calling Code

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations agency responsible for regulating international telecommunications. It allocates country codes to each country in the world.

The country code +44 was allocated to the United Kingdom by the ITU in 1964. The reason why +44 was chosen is not entirely clear, as the ITU does not disclose its decision-making process. It is assumed that +44 was chosen because of its availability and suitability for the United Kingdom’s telecommunications needs at the time.

Why Does the United Kingdom Use +44?

The use of country calling codes allows for efficient and standardized international communication. In the case of the United Kingdom, +44 is used to identify calls and texts that are intended for the country.

Currently, +44 is used for all types of communication, including voice calls, text messages, and fax transmissions. It is also used for international conference calls, video conferencing, and other forms of digital communication.

Other Relevant Information

Other information that is relevant to the use of the United Kingdom’s country calling code includes:

• The United Kingdom is divided into several area codes, which are used for identifying specific regions or cities within the country. For example, London is identified by the 020 area code.
• The use of country calling codes is regulated by the telecoms industry, and there are specific rules and standards that must be followed. For example, the ITU regulates the length and format of country codes to ensure that they are consistent across all countries.

Additional Questions and Answers

1. What are the area codes used in the United Kingdom aside from +44?

• The United Kingdom is divided into several area codes. Examples of these codes are 020 for London, 0121 for Birmingham, and 0161 for Manchester.

2. What is the format and length of the country calling code for the United Kingdom?

• The country calling code for the United Kingdom is +44. This code is three digits long and is typically prefixed with a plus sign or ’00’ when dialing from outside the country.

3. How are country calling codes assigned to different countries?

• Country calling codes are assigned by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which is a United Nations agency responsible for regulating international telecommunications.

4. Is the United Kingdom the only country that uses +44 as its country calling code?

• No, +44 is also used by several other countries in the world, including Guernsey, Isle of Man, and Jersey.

5. What is the role of the ITU in regulating international telecommunications?

• The ITU is responsible for ensuring that global telecommunication networks and services operate seamlessly and efficiently. It also coordinates the use of radio frequency spectrum and satellite orbits to avoid interference between different services and applications.

6. Are there any other common international calling codes aside from +44?

• Yes, some other common international calling codes include +1 for the United States and Canada, +86 for China, +81 for Japan, and +91 for India.

7. What are the benefits of having standardized country calling codes?

• Standardized country calling codes make international communication more efficient and reliable. They also make it easier for telecoms providers to set up and maintain international connections.

8. When was the last time the ITU allocated country calling codes to different countries?

• The ITU allocates country calling codes on an ongoing basis. The most recent allocations were made in June 2021, when the ITU assigned new codes to several countries in West Africa.

Sources Cited

• CountryCode.org (viewed on June 20, 2023)
• International-Phone-Search (viewed on June 20, 2023)
• Telestial.com (viewed on June 20, 2023)