Area Code 283 – Aden

Overview of Area Code 283 (Aden, Yemen)

Area code 283 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the city of Aden, the former capital and principal commercial hub of the Republic of Yemen. Aden is located on the Gulf of Aden, and its telecommunications infrastructure is managed by the national incumbent operator, Yemen International Telecommunication Co. (Yemeni), alongside other licensed providers. This code is used for fixed-line (PSTN) services within the Aden Governorate, which includes the districts of Crater, Ma'alla, Khormaksar, and the surrounding urban areas.

Dialing Formats

When calling a fixed-line number in Aden from within Yemen, subscribers must dial the national trunk prefix 0, followed by the area code 283 and the subscriber's 7-digit local number. The complete national format is: 0 283 XXX XXXX (or 0283XXXXXXX without spaces). For example, a local number such as 1234567 would be dialed as 02831234567 from any other city in Yemen.

For international callers, the country calling code for Yemen is +967. The leading '0' of the national trunk prefix is omitted, so the international format becomes +967 283 XXX XXXX (or +967283XXXXXXX). For instance, to call the same number from abroad, you would dial +967 283 123 4567.

Geographic Coverage and Overlays

The 283 code covers the entire Aden Governorate, which is divided into eight districts. It is important to note that Aden is a coastal city, and some districts, such as Al Buraiqeh and Al Mualla, are included within this geographic area. As of the latest ITU-T E.164 updates, there are no overlay codes in Yemen; each geographic region retains a unique NDC. However, due to the ongoing telecom sector reforms, some mobile operators have been assigned non-geographic codes (e.g., 7x and 73x ranges) that are not tied to any specific city.

Caller Instructions

Local callers (within Yemen): Always dial the trunk prefix '0' before the area code, even when calling from a mobile phone. For example, from Sana'a, you would dial 02831234567.

International callers: Dial your country's international access code (e.g., 00 from many countries, 011 from the US/Canada), then Yemen's country code 967, followed by the area code 283 and the local number. Do not include the initial '0'.

Within Aden: If you are calling from one fixed-line number to another within the same area code, you may still need to dial the full national number (including the area code) depending on the local dialing plan. It is always safe to use the full national format.

Important Notes

Yemen's telecommunication network has faced challenges due to infrastructure damage and power outages. Fixed-line services are primarily concentrated in urban centers like Aden. For VoIP or satellite calls, ensure you have the correct international prefix. As of 2023, the number of fixed telephone subscriptions in Yemen is relatively low, with mobile penetration exceeding 70%, so area code 283 is mainly used for government offices, businesses, and some residential lines.