Area Code 137 – Mobile Network
The phone area code for Mobile Network is 137 (international format +86137). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📞 Exchange Codes (NXX) for Area Code 137
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Overview of China's +86 137 Mobile Prefix
The +86 137 prefix is a non-geographic mobile numbering range assigned within the People's Republic of China's national numbering plan, governed by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) under ITU-T E.164 recommendations. Unlike geographic area codes (e.g., 10 for Beijing, 20 for Guangzhou), the 137 prefix is not tied to a specific city or province. Instead, it is allocated to mobile network operators (MNOs) and mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) for cellular services, including 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G subscriptions. Historically, the 137 range was primarily associated with China Mobile, the world's largest mobile carrier by subscriber count, though number portability (introduced nationally in 2019) allows subscribers to retain their 137 numbers when switching to China Unicom or China Telecom. Consequently, the prefix alone does not definitively identify the current operator.
Dialing Format and Number Structure
A complete international number using the 137 prefix follows the E.164 format: +86 137 XXXX XXXX. The country code for China is +86, and the 137 prefix is the first three digits of the 11-digit mobile number (excluding the country code). The remaining eight digits are subscriber-specific. When dialing from abroad, you must include the plus sign (+) or the international access prefix of your country (e.g., 011 from the US, 00 from most European countries), followed by 86 and the full 11-digit mobile number, omitting any leading trunk prefix. For example, a Beijing-based number might be dialed as +86 137 1234 5678.
Local Dialing and Caller Instructions
Within China, mobile-to-mobile calls are dialed using the full 11-digit number directly, without any trunk prefix (China uses 0 for domestic long-distance, but it is not used for mobile numbers). For instance, a caller in Shanghai would dial 137 1234 5678 to reach the same subscriber. Landline callers in China must also dial the 11-digit number directly for mobile calls. For international callers, the process is straightforward: dial your country's exit code, then 86, then the 11-digit number. There is no need to drop any leading zero because Chinese mobile numbers do not include one.
Regulatory and Technical Considerations
The 137 prefix is part of the 13x series, which was introduced in the 1990s as China expanded its mobile network. These numbers are non-geographic, meaning they are not tied to a physical location, and they support full national roaming across all Chinese provinces. For SMS and voice services, messages and calls to 137 numbers are routed through the mobile network's core infrastructure, and international SMS delivery is supported. In terms of number portability, subscribers who switch operators while keeping their 137 number may experience differences in service quality or features depending on the new operator's network. For businesses and individuals, it is essential to verify the current operator via a number lookup service if operator-specific services (e.g., exclusive data plans) are relevant.