Area Code 5248 – Ouarzazate

Overview of Morocco’s +212 5248 Geographic Code

The +212 5248 numbering block is a geographic destination code assigned to the Ouarzazate region of Morocco, in accordance with the national numbering plan administered by the Agence Nationale de Réglementation des Télécommunications (ANRT). This code forms part of the broader +212 5 prefix family, which designates fixed-line services across the country. Specifically, the 5248 National Destination Code (NDC) routes calls to the Ouarzazate province, located in the Drâa-Tafilalet region, at the southern edge of the High Atlas Mountains. The area is known for its strategic position as a gateway to the Sahara and its role as a UNESCO World Heritage site, attracting tourism and film production.

Geographically, the code covers the city of Ouarzazate and its surrounding communes, including Tabounte, Tifoultoute, and Ait Ben Haddou (a famous ksar). It also extends to nearby rural areas that rely on the fixed PSTN network. Subscribers within this zone typically have numbers of 9 digits when dialed in international format (including the leading 0 for national calls). The full international dialing format is: +212 5 24 8X XX XX, where the 5 is the initial digit of the national significant number (NSN) and 24 8 are the first three digits of the subscriber number after the NDC. For clarity, a complete example is +212 5248 12345 (note: actual subscriber numbers may vary in length).

When calling from within Morocco, users must dial the national trunk prefix 0 followed by the NDC and subscriber number: 05248 12345. This format applies to all fixed-line calls within the country, regardless of the caller’s location. For international callers, the country code +212 replaces the trunk prefix, and the leading 0 is omitted. Thus, a call from France to Ouarzazate would be dialed as +212 5248 12345.

It is important to note that +212 5248 is a geographic code, meaning that the tariff for calls to this number is typically based on the distance from the caller’s location within Morocco, though many operators now offer flat-rate or bundled minutes. The code is not used for mobile services; mobile numbers in Morocco begin with +212 6 or +212 7. As with all geographic codes, number portability may allow a subscriber to retain their number if they move, but the code remains associated with the original geographic area for routing purposes.

For businesses or individuals in Ouarzazate, having a local geographic number enhances local presence and trust. Tourists and international partners should always use the full international format to ensure successful connection. The ANRT periodically reviews numbering resources, but as of the latest update, +212 5248 remains dedicated to the Ouarzazate fixed-line service.