Area Code 20 – North Region

Overview of Mauritius Area Code 20

Area code 20 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the North Region of Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean. This code is part of the country's national numbering plan, which adheres to ITU-T E.164 recommendations. The North Region encompasses the northern districts of the island, including areas around the towns of Pamplemousses, Rivière du Rempart, and the popular coastal village of Grand Baie. These areas are known for their residential communities, tourist resorts, and commercial activities.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The code 20 is allocated to fixed-line telephone services within the northern part of Mauritius. It covers a mix of urban and semi-urban zones, with the district councils of Pamplemousses and Rivière du Rempart being the primary administrative bodies. The region is characterized by a blend of local businesses, hotels, and residential neighborhoods. The code is used for both local and international calls to landlines in this area.

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

For callers within Mauritius, dialing a number in the North Region requires the trunk prefix 0, followed by the area code 20 and the subscriber number. The national significant number (NSN) for Mauritius is 7 digits, with the area code being the first two digits. Therefore, a local call would be dialed as 020 XXXX XXX (where X represents the 5-digit subscriber number). For example, a typical number might be 020 123 4567.

For international callers, the country code +230 is used, followed by the area code without the leading zero. Thus, the same number would be dialed as +230 20 123 4567. It is important to note that the leading '0' is only used for domestic calls and must be omitted when calling from abroad.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

Currently, there is no overlay code for the North Region; the 20 code is exclusive to this geographic area. However, as Mauritius continues to develop its telecommunications infrastructure, number portability is available, allowing subscribers to retain their numbers when switching service providers. This does not affect the geographic significance of the code, but it ensures flexibility for consumers.

Practical Tips for Callers

• When calling from a mobile phone within Mauritius, you may need to include the trunk prefix '0' even if you are in the same region, depending on your operator's dialing plan.
• For international callers, always check the current dialing instructions from your country, as some may require an international access prefix (e.g., 00 or +) before the country code.
• If you are unsure about the correct number, consider using online directories or contacting the local tourism office for assistance.