Area Code 76 – Hormozgan

Overview of Area Code 76 (Hormozgan, Iran)

Area code 76 is the National Destination Code (NDC) for the province of Hormozgan in the Islamic Republic of Iran. This geographic code is part of the national numbering plan administered by the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) of Iran, in accordance with ITU-T E.164 recommendations. The code covers the entire province, including the provincial capital Bandar Abbas, as well as other major cities and towns such as Bandar Lengeh, Minab, Qeshm, and Kish (the latter two are islands in the Persian Gulf).

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

Hormozgan Province is strategically located along the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route. The area code 76 is allocated to fixed-line (PSTN) services within this province. Subscribers in this region are assigned numbers that begin with the trunk prefix 0 followed by the area code 76 and then a subscriber number that is typically 7 or 8 digits long. The exact length of the subscriber number may vary depending on the local exchange capacity and the specific city or town.

Dialing Formats

When calling a fixed-line number in Hormozgan from within Iran, you must use the national trunk prefix 0 before the area code. For example, to call a number in Bandar Abbas, you would dial: 076-XXXX-XXXX (where X represents the subscriber digits). If you are calling from outside Iran, you need to use the international access prefix (usually 00 or +), followed by the country code for Iran (98), and then the area code without the leading zero. Thus, an international caller would dial: +98 76 XXXX XXXX.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

As of the latest updates, there is no overlay code for Hormozgan; the area code 76 is exclusively used for the province. However, due to the growth of fixed-line services, the CRA may implement number expansion or overlay plans in the future. It is advisable to always check the current dialing instructions from your service provider. For mobile numbers in Iran, note that they have their own non-geographic prefixes (e.g., 0912, 0935) and are not affected by area code 76.

Caller Instructions

For local callers within Hormozgan: When dialing a number in the same city, you may be able to omit the area code and dial only the subscriber number, depending on your local exchange. However, for calls to other cities within the province, you must include the trunk prefix and area code: 076 followed by the subscriber number.

For international callers: Always replace the trunk prefix '0' with the country code '98' and drop the leading zero of the area code. So, a number in Qeshm would be dialed as +98 76 3522 XXXX (example). Ensure you have the correct international exit code for your country (e.g., 011 from the US, 00 from most European countries).

Practical Examples

• Local call (within Bandar Abbas): 3522 1234 (if allowed)
• National call (from Tehran): 076 3522 1234
• International call (from the US): 011 98 76 3522 1234
• International call (from the UK): 00 98 76 3522 1234

Understanding these dialing patterns ensures seamless connectivity with businesses, government offices, and residents in Hormozgan. Always verify the current numbering plan with your telecom operator, as changes may occur.