Area Code 2 – Atafu Atoll

Overview of Tokelau's +690 2 Prefix

The +690 country code is assigned to Tokelau, a dependent territory of New Zealand located in the South Pacific. Within this numbering plan, the prefix 2 is designated as a geographic area code specifically for Atafu Atoll, one of the three coral atolls that constitute Tokelau (the others being Nukunonu and Fakaofo). This prefix is used for fixed-line services on the atoll, which are provided by the national telecommunications operator, Teletok, under the regulatory oversight of the Tokelau administration.

Geographic Coverage and Dialing Formats

The +690 2 prefix covers all landlines on Atafu, including the main village of Atafu and its surrounding islets. As a geographic code, it identifies the physical location of the subscriber. For international callers, the number format is +690 2XXX XXXX (where X represents the subscriber's local number). For example, a call to a landline in Atafu would be dialed as +690 2XXX XXXX from any country. Within Tokelau, local calls to Atafu numbers are typically dialed using the seven-digit number (2XXX XXXX) without the country code, though due to the small size of the territory, local dialing may be simplified. It is important to note that Tokelau does not have a separate trunk prefix; the country code +690 is used for all international calls.

Caller Instructions

For international callers: Dial the international access prefix (e.g., 00 from most countries, or + from mobile phones), followed by 690, then the 2XXX XXXX number. For example, to call a landline in Atafu from the United States, you would dial 011 690 2XXX XXXX. For local callers within Tokelau: Dial the seven-digit number directly (2XXX XXXX) if your phone system supports it, or use the full international format if required by your service provider.

Technical Considerations

Tokelau's telecommunications infrastructure relies heavily on satellite links, as the atolls are remote and lack submarine cable connections. This can result in higher latency and occasional service interruptions. The +690 2 prefix is used exclusively for fixed-line PSTN services; mobile services on Atafu are typically assigned to different prefixes (such as 7 for mobile numbers) and are non-geographic. As Tokelau is a small territory, number portability is not widely implemented, and the geographic prefix remains tied to the physical location of the line. When calling from abroad, ensure you have the correct international exit code and consider time zone differences (UTC+13).