“Is your number Globe or Smart?” That’s a question that we often encounter, and probably you have, too. That is why we’ve come up with this handy guide to mobile number prefixes in the Philippines, which you can refer to if you want to know if a particular number belongs to Globe or Smart.
What is a mobile number prefix? It’s the first four digits of the 11-digit mobile number. For example, the mobile number prefix of 09181234567 is 0918. This prefix determines what mobile network this particular number belongs to, whether Smart, Globe, DITO, or something else.
Unless you have an extremely strong memory, it’s difficult to memorize all these mobile number prefixes and their corresponding mobile networks. It was easier about 10-15 years ago when mobile numbers in usage were far fewer.
At present, there are two dominant mobile networks in the Philippines, Smart Communications and Globe Telecom. TNT (Talk N’ Text) and Sun Cellular are subsidiaries of Smart Communications, while Republika ng TM is under Globe Telecom. ABS-CBN Mobile is a subsidiary of ABS-CBN but uses Globe’s network infrastructure. Other lesser-known mobile service providers are Cherry Mobile, Gomo, Extelcom and Next.
DITO Telecommunity is a relatively new telco that launched in March 2021. It is a consortium that won a government-sponsored bidding to establish a third telco in the country.
This frequently updated list of mobile number prefixes will help you determine what mobile network a number belongs to. This is quite helpful if you are availing of a call or text promo and you want to call or text a particular number. That way, you can avoid extra charges for inter-network connections.
List of Mobile Number Prefixes in the Philippines
Below is a list of mobile number prefixes along with their corresponding telecommunications provider.
The list is constantly being updated so if you can suggest a new prefix, please let us know by contacting us or commenting below.
Keep in mind that the list of mobile number prefixes may not be entirely accurate due to Republic Act 11202 or the Mobile Number Portability Law, which allows subscribers to switch to a different telco while retaining the same mobile number. This means that a Smart number may change to a Globe one (or vice versa) if the subscriber applies for a transfer of network.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the +63 that is often used as a mobile number prefix?
+63 is the country code of the Philippines, and is used instead of the leading “0” for international direct dial (IDD) calls. Both “0” and “+63” are valid in the Philippines, but if calling or accepting calls abroad, the country code “+63” should be used instead of “0.”
How do I call a mobile number from a landline number?
When calling a mobile number from a landline or telephone number, you only need to dial the 11-digit mobile number (e.g. 09123456789). Make sure that your landline account is capable of calling cellphone numbers – you may need to subscribe to a National Direct Dial (NDD) plan for this.
How do I call a landline number using my mobile phone?
To call a landline number using your mobile phone, include the area code before the telephone number. For example, to call 411-1234 in Cebu (area code: 32), just dial 32-411-1234.
Summing Up
Knowing the correct mobile number prefix will definitely help you avoid unnecessary expenses when calling or texting someone, especially if you’re registered to a prepaid load promo. So make sure to check the mobile number prefix become making that all-important call.
How to i change my old network to new network mislatel