Area Code 246 – Oslo
The phone area code for Oslo is 246 (international format +47246). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📞 Exchange Codes (NXX) for Area Code 246
Select a central office code to view local carrier data and detailed information
📍 Geographic Location of Oslo
Overview of Area Code +47 246
Area code 246 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) within the Norwegian telephone numbering plan, allocated to the capital city, Oslo, and its immediate surrounding areas. As part of the +47 country calling code, the prefix 246 is used for fixed-line (PSTN) services, primarily serving businesses and residential subscribers in the central and eastern districts of Oslo. The code is administered by the Norwegian Communications Authority (Nkom) and is assigned to several operators, including Telenor and Telia Norge, ensuring competitive service provision.
Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction
The 246 prefix covers the municipality of Oslo, which is both a county and a municipality in Norway. It includes key administrative districts such as Sentrum, Grünerløkka, Gamle Oslo, and parts of Nordstrand. Subscribers with this code are typically located within the city limits, although some exchanges may extend into adjacent areas like Bærum or Lørenskog due to historical network boundaries. For callers, the prefix indicates a fixed-line connection in the Oslo metropolitan region, not a mobile service.
Dialing Formats and Instructions
To call a number with the 246 prefix from within Norway, dial the eight-digit subscriber number directly in the format 24 6X XX XX. For example, a local call to a business would be dialed as 24 60 00 00. No trunk prefix (0) is used for domestic calls in Norway, as the country uses a closed numbering plan. From abroad, callers must dial the international access code (00 or +), followed by the country code 47, and then the eight-digit number: +47 24 6X XX XX. For instance, an international caller would dial +47 24 60 00 00. When dialing from a mobile phone, the plus sign (+) is often used to denote the international prefix.
Numbering Plan and Overlay Considerations
Norway employs a closed numbering plan with eight-digit subscriber numbers for all geographic areas. The 246 prefix is part of the larger 2x range allocated to Oslo, which includes codes like 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25. There are no overlay codes in Oslo; instead, the city is served by multiple NDCs to accommodate demand. Subscribers in Oslo may have numbers starting with different prefixes, but all are considered local calls within the same geographic area. This means that calling between different Oslo prefixes (e.g., from 22 to 24) is charged as a local call, without any additional area code requirements.
Caller Instructions and Practical Notes
For local callers within Oslo, dialing the eight-digit number is sufficient; there is no need to include an area code. For callers from other parts of Norway, the same eight-digit number is dialed, as the national numbering plan does not require a trunk prefix. International callers must always include the +47 country code. It is important to note that numbers with the 246 prefix are fixed-line and not portable to mobile networks, although fixed-number portability is available among fixed-line operators. When calling from abroad, ensure you have the correct international exit code for your country (e.g., 011 from the US, 00 from most European countries).