Area Code 156 – Khartoum Rural

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The area code 156 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the rural outskirts and satellite communities surrounding Khartoum, the capital of Sudan. While the central business districts of Khartoum, Khartoum North (Bahri), and Omdurman predominantly use the 155 and 187 codes, 156 serves the expanding peri-urban zones, agricultural settlements, and newly developed residential areas within the Khartoum State but outside the immediate city centers. This includes localities such as Al Halfaya, Soba, and parts of the eastern Nile bank. The code falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the National Telecommunications Corporation (NTC) of Sudan, which manages the national numbering plan in accordance with ITU-T E.164 recommendations.

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

For callers within Sudan, dialing a number in the 156 area requires the trunk prefix 0 followed by the area code and the subscriber number. The national significant number (NSN) for these lines is typically 9 digits, including the leading '0' when dialed domestically. The format is: 0 156 XXX XXXX.

International callers must omit the leading '0' and instead use Sudan's country code +249. The international dialing format becomes: +249 156 XXX XXXX. It is crucial to note that the number of digits after the area code may vary depending on the specific exchange and the service provider, but the total length of the national significant number (excluding the trunk prefix) should be 9 digits for geographic numbers in Sudan.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

As of the latest NTC updates, there is no overlay code for the Khartoum rural area; 156 remains the sole geographic code for this region. However, due to the rapid expansion of the Khartoum metropolitan area, some number ranges within 156 have been reassigned to serve new developments. Subscribers in this area may have fixed-line services provided by Sudatel or other licensed operators, and in some cases, fixed wireless terminals (FWT) are used, which may behave like mobile numbers but are geographically tied to the 156 code.

Practical Guidance for Callers

• Local callers: Always include the trunk prefix '0' when dialing from any other region within Sudan. Example: 0156 XXX XXXX.
• International callers: Dial your country's exit code, then 249, then 156, followed by the subscriber number. Example: +249 156 XXX XXXX.
• Mobile users: When calling a 156 landline from a Sudanese mobile phone, you must include the '0' and the area code, just as you would from a fixed line.

For businesses or residents in the Khartoum rural area, it is advisable to display numbers in international format (+249 156 XXX XXXX) on websites and global directories to ensure reachability from abroad.