Area Code 71 – Ariana/Ben Arous/Carthage/Tunis
The phone area code for Ariana/Ben Arous/Carthage/Tunis is 71 (international format +21671). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📍 Geographic Location of Ariana/Ben Arous/Carthage/Tunis
Geographic Coverage and Regulatory Framework
The Tunisian national destination code 71 is a geographic area code allocated under the ITU-T E.164 numbering plan for the Greater Tunis region, encompassing the governorates of Tunis, Ariana, Ben Arous, and Manouba. This includes the capital city of Tunis and its surrounding urban and suburban areas, as well as historical sites such as Carthage and La Marsa. The prefix is administered by the Instance Nationale des Télécommunications (INTT), Tunisia's regulatory authority, and is assigned to fixed-line PSTN services. Subscribers within this area are identified by the full national significant number (NSN) comprising the area code 71 followed by a seven-digit subscriber number, resulting in a total length of nine digits for national dialing (e.g., 71 234 567).
Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions
For callers within Tunisia, dialing a fixed line in the Greater Tunis region requires the trunk prefix 0 followed by the area code and subscriber number: 0 71 234 567. For international callers, the format is +216 71 234 567 (or 00216 71 234 567 from countries using international prefix 00). It is important to note that the leading 0 is not part of the international dialing sequence and must be omitted. Since the implementation of Tunisia's national numbering reform, no overlay codes have been introduced for this region; the 71 code remains exclusive to geographic fixed-line services, and all numbers under this prefix are ten digits long when dialed locally (including the trunk prefix).
Service Characteristics and Number Portability
Numbers under the 71 prefix are primarily used by residential and business fixed-line subscribers, including government institutions, corporate offices, and public services. While the code is geographically tied to the Greater Tunis area, number portability allows subscribers to retain their 71 numbers when switching between fixed-line operators (e.g., Tunisie Telecom, Ooredoo, Orange Tunisie) within the same geographic region. However, the geographic significance of the prefix remains for routing and tariff purposes, as calls to 71 numbers are typically charged at local or national fixed-line rates depending on the caller's location. For businesses, having a 71 number establishes a local presence in the capital, which is often preferred for customer trust and regional marketing.
Practical Examples and Usage Notes
To illustrate, a typical fixed-line number in Tunis might be 71 890 123. A caller from Sfax (using area code 74) would dial 0 71 890 123, while a caller from France would dial +216 71 890 123. It is essential to verify the current number length and dialing rules with your telecom provider, as occasional changes may occur. For fax services and legacy PSTN lines, the same dialing formats apply. If you are unsure whether a number is geographic or mobile, note that Tunisian mobile numbers begin with prefixes such as 2, 5, or 9 (e.g., +216 2X XXX XXX), whereas 71 is exclusively fixed-line.