Area Code 323 – Karak

Overview of Jordan’s +962 323 Geographic Code

The +962 323 prefix is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Karak Governorate in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. It routes calls to fixed-line PSTN subscribers within the administrative boundaries of Karak, including the city of Al-Karak and its surrounding towns and villages. As a geographic code, it is tied to a specific physical location, unlike Jordan’s mobile prefixes (e.g., 77, 78, 79) which are non-geographic.

Coverage Area and Administrative Jurisdiction

Karak Governorate is located approximately 120 kilometers south of Amman, the capital. The 323 code covers the entire governorate, which is divided into several districts, including Al-Qasr, Ayy, and Al-Mazar al-Janubi. Major population centers served by this code include the city of Al-Karak, known for its historic Crusader castle (Kerak Castle), and the nearby towns of Qatraneh and Safi. The code is administered by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) of Jordan, which oversees the national numbering plan.

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

For callers within Jordan, the national format requires dialing 0 followed by the area code and the subscriber number. Thus, a local call to a Karak fixed line would be dialed as: 03 23X XXXX (where X represents the subscriber digits). Note that the trunk prefix ‘0’ is used for domestic calls.

For international callers, the country code +962 is used, and the leading ‘0’ of the national prefix is dropped. Therefore, an international call to Karak should be dialed as: +962 3 23X XXXX. For example, if a subscriber number is 235 1234, the international format would be +962 3 235 1234.

Numbering Plan and Overlay Considerations

Jordan’s geographic numbering plan uses a variable-length structure. The NDC for Karak is ‘3’ (with the full national prefix 03), and the subscriber number length is typically 7 digits. Currently, there is no overlay code for Karak; the 323 prefix is the sole geographic code for the governorate. However, due to increasing demand, the TRC may introduce additional NDCs in the future, but as of now, 323 remains the primary fixed-line code for the region.

Practical Usage and Routing

This code is used exclusively for fixed-line services, including residential, business, and government lines. Calls to 323 numbers are routed via the PSTN and are subject to standard national and international tariffs. For VoIP users, the same international format applies. When dialing from a mobile phone within Jordan, it is essential to include the ‘0’ trunk prefix (e.g., 03 23X XXXX) to ensure proper routing.