Area Code 688 – Addu

Overview of Maldives Area Code 688

Area code 688 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Addu Atoll region in the Republic of Maldives, specifically serving the administrative district of Addu City. Addu City is the second-largest urban center in the Maldives and includes the populated islands of Hithadhoo, Maradhoo, Feydhoo, and Hulhudhoo, along with the recently developed Gan Island, which hosts the international Gan International Airport. This code is used for fixed-line (PSTN) services within the Addu region, connecting residential, commercial, and government subscribers.

Dialing Formats and Usage

When calling a fixed-line number in Addu from within the Maldives, subscribers must dial the national trunk prefix 0, followed by the area code 688, and then the subscriber's 5-digit local number. For example, a local call to a number in Addu would be dialed as 0 688 X XXXX. From an international location, callers must use the Maldives country code +960, followed directly by the area code and local number, omitting the leading trunk prefix. Thus, the international format becomes +960 688 X XXXX. It is important to note that the Maldives uses a closed numbering plan for fixed-line services, meaning the full national number (including the area code) is always required, even for local calls within the same region.

Geographic Coverage and Administration

The 688 area code is allocated under the jurisdiction of the Communications Authority of Maldives (CAM), which oversees the national numbering plan in accordance with ITU-T E.164 recommendations. Addu City is the southernmost atoll of the Maldives and serves as a key economic and administrative hub for the southern province. The region is characterized by its unique geography, with islands connected by the Addu Causeway, facilitating land-based transportation. Fixed-line infrastructure in Addu is primarily provided by Dhiraagu and Ooredoo Maldives, the two main telecom operators, offering PSTN and VoIP-based fixed services.

Caller Instructions

• Local callers (within Maldives): Dial 0 688 X XXXX (replace X with the local number).
• International callers: Dial your country's exit code (e.g., 00 or 011), then 960 688 X XXXX.
• VoIP and mobile users: When calling from a mobile phone, you may need to include the area code even if you are in the same region, as mobile numbers are non-geographic and require full national dialing.

There are no known overlay codes for Addu; the 688 code is exclusively used for this geographic area. As the Maldives continues to develop its telecommunications infrastructure, fixed-line services remain essential for businesses and government offices in Addu City, ensuring reliable connectivity for the southern atolls.