Area Code 55 – Kherson

Geographic Overview

The +380 55 area code is the national destination code (NDC) assigned to the Kherson region of Ukraine, as defined under the ITU-T E.164 numbering plan. This geographic prefix covers the administrative territory of Kherson Oblast, including the city of Kherson and its surrounding districts. The region lies in southern Ukraine along the Dnieper River and the Black Sea coast, bordering the Crimean Peninsula to the south. Key localities served by this code include Kherson, Nova Kakhovka, Kakhovka, Beryslav, and Skadovsk. As a geographic code, it is tied to the physical PSTN infrastructure of the region, although VoIP and mobile operators may also route calls to this code depending on number portability and service provisioning.

Dialing Formats

For callers within Ukraine, the national trunk prefix '0' is used before the area code, followed by the subscriber number. The complete national format is 0 55 XXX XX XX (where X represents the local subscriber digits). For example, a local number in Kherson might be dialed as 055 123 45 67 from other parts of Ukraine. International callers must use Ukraine's country code +380 and drop the leading '0'. Thus, the same number would be dialed as +380 55 123 45 67 from abroad. It is important to note that the subscriber number length may vary, but the total length of the national significant number (NSN) is typically 9 digits (excluding the trunk prefix), consistent with the Ukrainian numbering plan.

Overlays and Numbering Considerations

As of the latest ITU-T recommendations, the Kherson region does not have an overlay code; the 55 prefix remains the sole geographic code for the region. However, due to the ongoing conflict and administrative changes, some numbers may be temporarily reassigned or routed via alternative infrastructure. Callers should be aware that number portability allows subscribers to retain their numbers when switching between fixed-line operators, but the geographic significance of the code remains tied to the original location. For emergency services, callers within the region should dial the national emergency numbers (101, 102, 103, 104) rather than using the area code.

Practical Guidance for Callers

• Local callers: When dialing within the same area code, the trunk prefix and area code may be omitted in some legacy systems, but it is recommended to use the full national format to ensure proper routing.
• International callers: Always use the plus sign (+) or the international access prefix of your country (e.g., 011 from the US) followed by 380 and the area code without the leading zero.
• Business lines: Many businesses in the region use this code for their customer service lines; ensure you have the correct extension when calling.

Understanding the correct dialing format is essential for both domestic and international communication with the Kherson region. Always verify the current status of the region's telecommunications infrastructure, as service availability may be affected by external factors.