Area Code 131 – Mobile Network
The phone area code for Mobile Network is 131 (international format +86131). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📞 Exchange Codes (NXX) for Area Code 131
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Overview of China Mobile Prefix 131
The +86 131 prefix is a non-geographic mobile network code assigned within the People's Republic of China. Unlike area codes tied to specific cities or provinces, 131 is part of the national mobile numbering plan and is allocated to China Unicom, one of the country's three major state-owned telecommunications operators. This prefix is used exclusively for mobile services, including voice, SMS, and data, and is not associated with any fixed-line or VoIP service.
Technical Specifications and Formatting
Chinese mobile numbers are 11 digits long and begin with a three-digit network prefix. For the 131 prefix, the full international format is +86 131 XXXX XXXX, where the remaining eight digits constitute the subscriber number. When dialing domestically, callers must include the trunk prefix 0 before the number, resulting in 0 131 XXXX XXXX. However, this 0 is omitted when dialing from abroad; instead, callers use the country code +86 followed directly by the mobile number (e.g., +86 131 2345 6789).
It is important to note that China does not use area codes for mobile numbers. The prefix 131 is non-geographic, meaning it does not indicate the subscriber's physical location. This allows users to retain their number when moving across provinces, a feature supported by mobile number portability (MNP) regulations. Since 2019, China has implemented full MNP, enabling subscribers to switch operators while keeping their existing number, including those starting with 131.
Call Routing and International Considerations
When calling a 131 number from outside China, international carriers route the call based on the E.164 format (+86 131...). The call is then delivered to China Unicom's network, which identifies the subscriber's current location via the Home Location Register (HLR) or Home Subscriber Server (HSS). For international SMS, messages are routed through the recipient's home network, ensuring delivery regardless of roaming status.
For callers within China, dialing a 131 number is straightforward: simply dial 131 XXXX XXXX (without the 0) for local calls, or add the 0 if calling from a fixed line in a different city. However, with the widespread adoption of mobile phones, the 0 is often unnecessary even for cross-province calls, as mobile-to-mobile calls are treated as domestic long-distance but do not require the trunk prefix.
Commercial and Regulatory Aspects
China Unicom assigns 131 numbers to both prepaid and postpaid subscribers, including those using 4G and 5G services. The prefix is also used by Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) that lease capacity from China Unicom. As of 2023, China Unicom had over 300 million mobile subscribers, with 131 being one of its primary prefixes alongside 130, 132, 155, 156, and 186.
From a regulatory perspective, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) oversees the allocation of numbering resources. The 131 prefix was introduced in the late 1990s and has been in continuous use since. It is not subject to overlay or area code changes, as it is a non-geographic code.