Area Code 335 – Hulhumalé

Overview of Maldives Area Code 335

Area code 335 is a geographic destination code within the Republic of Maldives national numbering plan, specifically assigned to Hulhumalé. Hulhumalé is an artificial island located in the Malé Atoll, constructed to alleviate congestion in the capital, Malé. It forms part of the Greater Malé Region and is administered by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC). The code is used for fixed-line (PSTN) services within this area.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Context

The 335 prefix serves subscribers in Hulhumalé, including residential, commercial, and government entities. Hulhumalé is divided into phases, with Phase 1 and Phase 2 currently inhabited. The area is home to residential towers, schools, hospitals, and the Velana International Airport (which is actually located on the adjacent island of Hulhulé, but often associated with the region). The administrative jurisdiction falls under the Malé City Council, as Hulhumalé is a district of Malé.

Dialing Formats and Instructions

For local callers within the Maldives, the number is dialed as a single national significant number (NSN) comprising the area code and subscriber number. For example, a local call to a Hulhumalé fixed line would be dialed as 335-XXXX (where XXXX is the four-digit subscriber number). No trunk prefix (such as '0') is used in Maldives; the NSN is dialed directly.

For international callers, the full international format is required: +960 335 XXXX. The country code for Maldives is +960, and the area code 335 is dialed immediately after the country code, without any leading zero. For instance, to call a number in Hulhumalé from abroad, one would dial +960 335 XXXX.

Numbering Plan and Overlay Considerations

The Maldives numbering plan follows ITU-T E.164 recommendations. Fixed-line numbers are typically seven digits long, including the area code. The 335 area code is part of the geographic allocation for the Malé region, which also includes codes such as 330 (Malé), 331 (Malé), 332 (Malé), and 333 (Hulhulé). There are no overlay codes currently in effect for Hulhumalé; the 335 code is exclusively used for that area. However, as the population grows, additional codes may be introduced.

Caller Instructions

Local callers: Simply dial the seven-digit number (e.g., 335XXXX). No area code separation is needed; the entire NSN is dialed.

International callers: Dial the international access prefix (e.g., 00 from most countries, or +), then the Maldives country code (960), then the area code and subscriber number (335XXXX). Example: +960 335 XXXX.

VoIP and mobile users: Calls to fixed lines in Hulhumalé are routed via the PSTN and may incur different tariffs depending on the service provider. Ensure that the number is dialed in the correct format to avoid misrouting.