Area Code 66 – Banket

Overview of Zimbabwe Area Code 66 (Banket)

Area code 66 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the town of Banket and its surrounding rural areas in Zimbabwe's Mashonaland West Province. Banket is located approximately 90 kilometers northwest of Harare, along the main road to Chinhoyi, and serves as an agricultural and mining hub. The code is part of Zimbabwe's national numbering plan, which follows ITU-T E.164 recommendations.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The 66 code covers the administrative district of Banket, including the town itself and nearby communal lands, commercial farms, and small settlements. The region falls under the Mashonaland West Provincial administration. Key localities served include Banket town center, the surrounding farming areas, and mining sites such as the Madziwa Mine. The code is exclusively for fixed-line (PSTN) services, provided by TelOne, the national fixed-line operator.

Dialing Formats and Procedures

For local callers within Zimbabwe, dialing a Banket number requires the trunk prefix 0 followed by the area code and the subscriber number. The national significant number (NSN) for Banket is 8 digits long, comprising the area code (66) and a 6-digit subscriber number. The full national format is: 0 66 XXX XXX.

For international callers, the Zimbabwe country code is +263, and the leading trunk prefix '0' is dropped. The international format is: +263 66 XXX XXX. For example, a local call to a Banket number would be dialed as 066 123 456, while an international caller would dial +263 66 123 456.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

Currently, there is no overlay code for the Banket area; the 66 code is the sole geographic code for this region. However, as Zimbabwe's telecommunications network evolves, number portability and potential future overlays may be introduced. Subscribers in Banket may have migrated to VoIP or mobile services, but the fixed-line code remains active for traditional PSTN connections.

Caller Instructions

• Local callers (within Zimbabwe): Dial 0 + 66 + subscriber number (e.g., 066 123 456).
• International callers: Dial your country's exit code (e.g., 00 or +), then 263 + 66 + subscriber number (e.g., +263 66 123 456).
• Mobile callers within Zimbabwe: Same as local fixed-line dialing: 0 66 XXX XXX.

When calling from outside Zimbabwe, always replace the leading '0' with the country code +263. Ensure you have the correct subscriber number, as fixed-line numbers are not portable across geographic areas.