Area Code 46 – Serowe

Overview of Botswana Area Code 46

Area code 46 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Serowe region in Botswana. Serowe is a significant administrative and cultural center located in the Central District, and it serves as the capital of the Bangwato tribe. The code covers Serowe town itself as well as surrounding villages and settlements within the Serowe administrative area.

Geographic Coverage and Jurisdiction

The 46 code is allocated to the Serowe telephone exchange area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA). This region is part of the larger Central District, and the code is used for fixed-line (PSTN) services. While Serowe is the principal town, the code also serves nearby localities such as Palapye, which is an important commercial hub in the district. However, note that Palapye has its own area code (49), so the 46 code specifically covers the Serowe exchange and its immediate environs.

Dialing Formats

To call a fixed-line number in Serowe from within Botswana, you must dial the trunk prefix 0 followed by the area code and the subscriber number. The national significant number (NSN) for Serowe numbers is eight digits long, comprising the area code (2 digits) and a six-digit subscriber number. The international format for calling from abroad is +267 followed by the area code and subscriber number, omitting the leading zero.

Examples:

• Local call (within Botswana): 046 XXXXXX
• International call (from outside Botswana): +267 46 XXXXXX

For instance, if a subscriber number is 123456, the local dialing format would be 046 123456, and from overseas you would dial +267 46 123456.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

Currently, there is no overlay code for the Serowe area; the 46 code is the sole geographic code for this region. As Botswana's telecommunications network evolves, BOCRA may introduce number conservation measures or overlay codes, but as of now, the 46 code remains exclusive to Serowe.

Caller Instructions

For callers within Botswana, always include the trunk prefix 0 when dialing a Serowe fixed-line number, even if you are calling from within the same area code. For international callers, replace the leading zero with the country code +267. Ensure you have the correct six-digit subscriber number, as numbers are not portable across geographic areas in Botswana for fixed lines.