Area Code 27 – Dhaka

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The +880 27 area code is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to Dhaka, the capital and largest city of Bangladesh. This code covers the Dhaka District and its immediate metropolitan surroundings, including key administrative and commercial zones such as Motijheel, Gulshan, Banani, Dhanmondi, and Mirpur. As the primary hub for government, finance, and industry, Dhaka's geographic numbering plan serves both residential and business subscribers within the fixed-line PSTN network.

Dialing Formats and Instructions

For local callers within Bangladesh, the national dialing format is 02-XXXXXXX (where X denotes the subscriber number). When calling from abroad, the international format is +880 2 XXXXXXX (or +880 27 XXXXXXX when the NDC is explicitly included). Note that the leading '0' of the national prefix is dropped when using the international format. For example, a Dhaka landline number might be dialed as 02-9876543 domestically, but internationally as +880 2 9876543.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

Dhaka has historically used the '02' trunk code, with '27' serving as a specific routing prefix within the city's numbering plan. In recent years, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has implemented number expansions and overlay codes to address growing demand. Subscribers in Dhaka may encounter numbers with varying lengths, and it is essential to verify the correct number of digits when dialing. For international callers, always confirm the full number including the country code and NDC to avoid misdialing.

Caller Instructions

• Local callers (within Bangladesh): Dial 02-XXXXXXX from any phone, including mobile networks.
• International callers: Dial your country's exit code (e.g., 00 or 011), then 880, then 2 (or 27), followed by the subscriber number.
• Mobile to landline: Same as local dialing; include the '02' prefix.

Regulatory and Technical Notes

Geographic codes like '27' are assigned to fixed-line operators (e.g., BTCL and other licensed PSTN providers). These numbers are not portable to mobile networks, and calls are routed via the traditional circuit-switched PSTN or VoIP gateways. For businesses, having a Dhaka geographic number enhances local presence and trust. However, with the rise of VoIP and mobile services, many enterprises opt for non-geographic numbers for national reach. Always check with your service provider for the most current dialing procedures, especially when using VoIP or international calling cards.