Area Code 304 – Malé Region

Overview of Maldives Area Code 304

Area code 304 is a geographic destination code within the Republic of Maldives, specifically designated for the Malé Region. Malé, the capital and most densely populated city of the Maldives, serves as the political, economic, and cultural hub of the archipelago. The 304 code is allocated for fixed-line (PSTN) services within this region, covering the main island of Malé and its immediate urban surroundings, including the adjacent islands of Villingili and Hulhumalé, which are connected by bridge and ferry services.

Dialing Formats

When calling a fixed-line number in the Malé Region from abroad, the international dialing format is:

• International: +960 304 XXXX (where XXXX is the local subscriber number, typically 4 digits).
• Domestic (within Maldives): 304 XXXX (no trunk prefix is used; the country code is only required for international calls).

For example, a local call to a business in Malé would be dialed as 304 1234, while an international caller would dial +960 304 1234.

Caller Instructions

Local callers within the Maldives should dial the 7-digit national number (area code + subscriber number) without any leading trunk prefix. International callers must replace the leading zero (if present) with the Maldives country code +960. It is important to note that the Maldives does not use trunk prefixes (such as 0) in its national numbering plan; the country code is +960, and the national significant number (NSN) is 7 digits, with the first three digits representing the area code for fixed lines.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

The Malé Region code 304 is part of a closed numbering plan. There are no overlay codes currently in effect for this area; however, as the demand for fixed-line services grows, the Telecommunications Authority of Maldives (TAM) may introduce additional area codes or number expansions. Subscriber numbers under 304 are typically 4 digits, but some numbers may have 5 digits depending on the service provider and historical allocations. Always verify the exact number length with the called party or the local directory.

Service Providers and Usage

Fixed-line services in the Malé Region are primarily provided by Dhiraagu (Dhivehi Raajjeyge Gulhun PLC) and Ooredoo Maldives, the two main telecommunications operators. These lines are used for residential, business, and government communications, including broadband internet over DSL and fiber-optic connections. The 304 code is exclusively for geographic fixed-line services; mobile numbers in the Maldives use distinct non-geographic prefixes (e.g., 7, 8, 9) and are not associated with area codes.

Regulatory and Technical Notes

The Maldivian numbering plan follows ITU-T E.164 recommendations. The country code +960 is assigned to the Maldives, and the national destination code (NDC) for geographic areas is the first three digits of the national significant number. Calls to 304 numbers are routed over the PSTN and are subject to standard international settlement rates. For VoIP services, the same dialing rules apply when terminating to a fixed-line number in the Malé Region.