Area Code 301 – Malé/Hulhulé/Aarah

Overview of the +960 301 Geographic Prefix

The +960 301 prefix is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned within the Republic of Maldives, specifically serving the capital region of Malé, the adjacent airport island of Hulhulé, and the residential and resort island of Aarah. As part of the Maldives' national numbering plan, this prefix is used for fixed-line PSTN services, and it is administered by the Communications Authority of Maldives (CAM). The prefix is not associated with mobile services, which use separate non-geographic ranges.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

Malé, the capital and most densely populated island, is the primary administrative and commercial hub. Hulhulé, located just north of Malé, hosts Velana International Airport (MLE) and is connected to Malé via the Sinamalé Bridge. Aarah is a smaller island within the Malé Atoll, known for its residential communities and tourism infrastructure. The 301 prefix is allocated to subscribers within these islands, and its use indicates a fixed-line connection within this specific geographic area.

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

For international callers, the full number is dialed as +960 301 XXXX, where XXXX is the local subscriber number. The total length of the national significant number (NSN) is seven digits, comprising the three-digit NDC (301) and a four-digit subscriber number. When dialing from within the Maldives, callers must use the national trunk prefix '0' before the NDC, resulting in 0301 XXXX. For example, a local call to a number in Malé would be dialed as 0301 1234, while an international caller would dial +960 301 1234.

It is important to note that the Maldives does not currently use area code overlays; each geographic area has a unique NDC. However, due to the small size of the country and the high demand for numbers, some geographic codes may be assigned to VoIP or fixed wireless services, but the 301 prefix remains primarily associated with traditional fixed-line services.

Regulatory and Technical Considerations

Number portability is available in the Maldives, allowing subscribers to retain their numbers when switching service providers, but this does not change the geographic significance of the prefix. The 301 prefix is not used for toll-free or premium-rate services, which have their own designated ranges. For businesses, having a 301 number reinforces a local presence in the capital, which can be beneficial for customer trust and local marketing.

When calling from abroad, it is essential to replace the '+' with the international access code of the originating country (e.g., '011' from the US, '00' from most European countries). Ensure that you have the correct subscriber number, as Maldivian fixed-line numbers are typically four digits after the NDC.