Area Code 6 – Gelephu

Overview of Bhutan's +975 6 Geographic Prefix

The country calling code +975 is assigned to the Kingdom of Bhutan under the ITU-T E.164 international numbering plan. Within this framework, the national significant number (NSN) is typically eight digits long. The leading digit '6' functions as a National Destination Code (NDC) that routes calls to the southern region of Bhutan, specifically serving the town of Gelephu and its surrounding administrative areas. Gelephu is the principal urban center of Sarpang District, located near the border with Assam, India, and serves as a key commercial and transit hub.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The '6' prefix is allocated for fixed-line (PSTN) services in the Gelephu area, which includes the town itself and nearby villages within Sarpang Dzongkhag. This allocation is managed by Bhutan Telecom Limited, the incumbent operator, under the regulatory oversight of the Bhutan InfoComm and Media Authority (BICMA). The prefix is geographic, meaning that the number is tied to a physical location, and the call routing is based on the subscriber's exchange.

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

For callers within Bhutan, the national dialing format requires the trunk prefix '0' followed by the NDC and the subscriber number. Therefore, to call a fixed line in Gelephu from another part of Bhutan, you would dial: 0 6 XXX XXX (where X represents the five-digit subscriber number). For example, if the subscriber number is 12345, you would dial 06 12345.

For international callers, the format is: +975 6 XXX XXX (or 011 975 6 XXX XXX when dialing from the United States or Canada). For instance, to call the same number from abroad, you would dial +975 6 12345. Note that the leading '0' is omitted when dialing from outside Bhutan.

Overlay Considerations and Numbering Changes

As of the current numbering plan, there is no overlay code for the Gelephu area. The '6' prefix is exclusively used for fixed-line services in this region. However, with the growth of telecommunications services, Bhutan has implemented number portability for mobile services, but fixed-line numbers remain tied to their geographic location. Users should be aware that the total number of digits after the country code is eight, and the subscriber number portion after the NDC is five digits.

Practical Tips for Callers

When calling from a mobile phone within Bhutan, the same national format applies (0 6 XXX XXX). If you are using VoIP services, ensure that you include the country code and omit the trunk prefix. Always verify the number with the recipient, as misdialing the NDC can route your call to a different region. For businesses or individuals in Gelephu, displaying the number in international format (+975 6 XXX XXX) is recommended for clarity in global communications.