Area Code 229 – Ramallah/Al-Bireh
The phone area code for Ramallah/Al-Bireh is 229 (international format +970229). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📍 Geographic Location of Ramallah/Al-Bireh
Overview of Area Code 229 (Ramallah/Al-Bireh)
Area code 229 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) within the Palestinian Territories' national numbering plan, which adheres to ITU-T E.164 recommendations. This code serves the central West Bank region encompassing the twin cities of Ramallah and Al-Bireh, along with their surrounding administrative districts. As a geographic code, 229 is allocated to fixed-line PSTN services, though some VoIP providers may also assign numbers with this prefix for local presence.
Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction
The 229 area code covers the Ramallah and Al-Bireh governorate, a key political and economic hub in the Palestinian Territories. Major localities within this code include Ramallah (the de facto administrative capital), Al-Bireh, and adjacent communities such as Beitunia, Birzeit, and Salfit (though Salfit has its own overlay code in some instances). The region is served by the Palestinian Telecommunications Company (Paltel) and other licensed operators.
Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions
For local callers within the Palestinian Territories (excluding the 09xx mobile prefixes), dialing a fixed-line number in Ramallah requires the trunk prefix 0, followed by the area code 229 and the subscriber number (typically 7 digits). For example, to call a Ramallah number, you would dial: 0 229 XXX XXXX.
For international callers, the Palestinian country code is +970. Therefore, you must dial +970 229 XXX XXXX (dropping the leading trunk '0'). If the number is presented in the alternative format using country code +972 (Israel), the same area code applies: +972 2 229 XXX XXXX (note that the area code becomes '2' when using the +972 routing).
Overlay and Numbering Considerations
As of the latest ITU-T assignments, the 229 code is part of a closed numbering plan for fixed lines. No overlay code has been introduced for Ramallah; however, number portability exists, allowing subscribers to retain their numbers when switching operators. When dialing from a mobile phone within the Palestinian Territories, the same trunk prefix and area code are used.
Practical Examples
- Local call (from Jerusalem or Gaza): 0 229 123 4567
- International call (from USA): 011 970 229 123 4567
- International call (from UK): 00 970 229 123 4567
Always verify the current numbering plan with your telecom provider, as routing may vary depending on the operator and the caller's location.