The international country code +123 does not exist, and therefore, there is no specific '+123 phone number' assigned for telecommunications. Phone numbers starting with a '+' sign indicate an international country calling code, which are systematically assigned and managed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-T).
Understanding International Phone Numbering
International telephone numbers adhere to the ITU-T's E.164 recommendation, which defines the global numbering plan for public telecommunication networks. This standard ensures that every telephone number worldwide is unique and can be routed correctly.
- Country Codes: These are numerical prefixes (typically one to three digits) that identify a specific country or a group of countries within the global telephone network. For example:
+1for North America (U.S., Canada, etc.)+44for the United Kingdom+33for France+81for Japan
- National Destination Codes (NDCs) & Subscriber Numbers: Following the country code, these digits identify a specific area or service within the country and then the individual subscriber.
As of current assignments, the number 123 is not designated as an international country calling code by the ITU-T. Country codes are typically allocated in specific blocks, and 123 falls outside the currently defined ranges for active country codes.
The E.123 Standard: A Notation Guide
While +123 is not a country code, the number 123 is indeed associated with an important international standard: E.123. This standard, established by the Telecommunication Standardization Sector of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-T), is titled "Notation for national and international telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and Web addresses."
The E.123 recommendation provides guidelines on how to visually present telephone numbers, email addresses, and web addresses to ensure clarity and avoid confusion across different countries and communication systems. It specifies aspects like:
- Using spaces (e.g.,
+XX YYY ZZZ ZZZZ) to separate parts of a number for readability. - The placement of the international access code and country code.
- Avoiding unnecessary symbols that could hinder understanding or dialling.
Therefore, when 123 is mentioned in the context of ITU-T standards, it refers to this notation standard, not an actual dialable telephone number or a country's unique calling code. This standard is crucial for consistency in how contact information is displayed globally, making it easier for users to correctly interpret and dial numbers regardless of their location.
Key Takeaways
- No +123 Country Code: There is no official international country calling code
+123. - E.123 is a Standard: The number
123refers to the ITU-T E.123 standard, which dictates the notation for writing telephone numbers, not a number itself. - Global Numbering: International phone numbers are governed by the ITU-T E.164 standard, assigning unique country codes worldwide.
