Area Code 291 – Demak/Jepara/Kudus

Overview of Area Code 291

Area code 291 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) within the Indonesian numbering plan, assigned to the northeastern part of Central Java province. It serves the regencies of Demak, Jepara, and Kudus, along with their surrounding districts. This code is part of the +62 country code (Indonesia) and is used for fixed-line (PSTN) services, including traditional copper lines and some fixed wireless or VoIP-based local services.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The area code covers three administrative regencies (kabupaten) in Central Java:

• Demak Regency: Known for its coastal location and the historic Demak Great Mosque.
• Jepara Regency: Famous for its furniture industry and the Karimunjawa Islands (though those islands may have separate routing).
• Kudus Regency: Renowned for its kretek (clove cigarette) industry and the Menara Kudus Mosque.

These regencies are part of the broader Semarang metropolitan region, but they maintain distinct local dialing areas. The administrative center for each regency is served by this code, and the coverage extends to all districts within their boundaries.

Dialing Formats

To call a fixed-line number in the Demak/Jepara/Kudus area, you must use the appropriate format depending on your location.

• International format (from outside Indonesia): Dial your country's exit code, then 62 (Indonesia's country code), then 291 (area code), followed by the local subscriber number. For example, to call a number in Kudus, you would dial: +62 291 123456 (replace 123456 with the actual 6-digit subscriber number).
• National format (from within Indonesia but outside the area): Dial 0 (trunk prefix), then 291, then the local subscriber number. Example: 0291 123456.
• Local call (within the same area code): You can often dial just the subscriber number without the area code. However, if you are using a mobile phone or a VoIP service, it is safer to always include the area code to avoid misrouting.

Note that Indonesian fixed-line numbers in this region typically have 6 to 7 digits after the area code. The total number of digits for a national significant number (NSN) is usually 9 to 10 digits (including the leading 0).

Overlay Considerations and Numbering Changes

As of the latest updates, there is no overlay code for the 291 area. The Indonesian Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (BRTI) has not introduced an overlay for this region, so the area code remains unique for the geographic area. However, with the growth of VoIP and fixed wireless services, some operators may use non-geographic numbers for customers in this region, but those would have different NDCs.

Caller Instructions

For callers from outside Indonesia: Always use the international format with the +62 country code and omit the leading '0' of the area code. For example, to call a number in Demak, you would dial +62 291 654321.

For callers from within Indonesia: If you are calling from a different area code (e.g., from Jakarta), you must dial the trunk prefix '0' before the area code. So you would dial 0291 654321. If you are calling from a mobile phone, you can also use the international format (+62 291 654321) as it is universally accepted.

Always confirm the exact number of digits with the person you are calling, as some numbers may have been migrated to 7-digit local numbers.