Area Code 0196 – Bitam

Overview of Gabon's Geographic Numbering Plan

Gabon's national numbering plan adheres to the ITU-T E.164 recommendation, with a country calling code of +241. Geographic numbers are structured as a single national destination code (NDC) that combines the former trunk prefix and the area code. In practice, all national numbers, including those for Bitam, are nine digits long when dialed in international format: +241 followed by eight digits. The prefix '0196' is part of the geographic numbering block assigned to the Woleu-Ntem Province, specifically serving the town of Bitam and its surrounding administrative areas.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

Bitam is the capital of the Woleu-Ntem Department, located in the northernmost province of Gabon, bordering Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon. The '0196' prefix is allocated to fixed-line services within this region, covering the urban center of Bitam and nearby localities. As a geographic code, it identifies the physical location of the subscriber's line, which is essential for routing calls through the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and for determining tariff zones.

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

• National dialing (within Gabon): To call a Bitam fixed line from another part of Gabon, dial the full national number: 0196 XX XX XX. The leading '0' is used for domestic calls and is not part of the international number.
• International dialing (from abroad): Callers outside Gabon must use the international prefix (e.g., 00 or +) followed by the country code 241 and the subscriber number without the leading '0'. For example, to reach a Bitam number, dial +241 196 XX XX XX (note: the '0' is dropped, leaving the NDC as '196' and the seven-digit subscriber number).

Number Structure and Formatting

Geographic numbers in Gabon are eight digits long after the country code. The first three digits (e.g., '196') represent the NDC, and the remaining five digits are the local subscriber number. Thus, a complete international format appears as +241 196 XX XXX. When writing the number, it is common to group digits for readability, but the actual dialing sequence is continuous.

Overlay and Number Portability Considerations

Currently, there is no overlay code for Bitam; the '0196' prefix is the sole geographic code for the area. However, Gabon has implemented mobile number portability (MNP) for mobile services, but fixed-line geographic numbers are generally tied to the physical line. If a subscriber moves to a different geographic area, they may be required to obtain a new number with the appropriate local prefix. For callers, it is important to note that the '0196' prefix is strictly for fixed-line services; mobile numbers in Gabon use distinct prefixes such as '07' or '06' and are non-geographic.

Practical Examples

Suppose a business in Bitam has the local number 0196 45 12 34. To call this number from Libreville, dial 0196 45 12 34. From Paris, dial +241 196 45 12 34. From New York, dial 011 241 196 45 12 34. Always verify the current dialing procedures with your telecom provider, as international prefixes may vary.