Membership NANP Typical format +1 868 nxx xxxx | Continent North America Type Closed Country calling code +1 | |
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The area code 868 is assigned to Trinidad and Tobago, a member of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). The telephone numbering plan for the country is known as the National Numbering Plan. It is part of a system used for assigning telephone numbers in Trinidad and Tobago, and functions as a part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). It is regulated by the government's Telecommunications Authority, which holds responsibility for telecommunications.
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Due to a long established affiliation with NANP, phone numbers in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago are often styled as "(868) NXX-xxxx". However, the International Telecommunications Union's standards such as E.164 and E.123 both strongly advocate the inclusion of a "+1" prefix to indicate "868" is a part of the NANP.
History
Area code 868 ("TNT") was created during a split from the original Area code 809 around 1 June 1997. By 31 May 1998 all calls placed to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago required the use of the +1 868 prefix.
When calling Trinidad and Tobago from elsewhere in the North American Numbering Plan (e.g., from the United States or Canada), callers dial as if undertaking regular ten-digit dialling within those countries. Callers must simply dial 1 + 868 + seven digit phone number.
When calling to Trinidad and Tobago from outside the NANP (e.g., from the United Kingdom), callers must dial their international dialling prefix followed by 1 to access the North American Numbering Plan. For example, a call placed from the United Kingdom would be dialled as 00 + 1 + 868 + local seven digit phone number.
Dialling within Trinidad and Tobago
When placing a phone call from Trinidad and Tobago, also known as HNPA (home numbering plan area) dialling, callers simply use seven-digit dialling (i.e. dialling the last seven digits of the phone number).
When calling other places in the North American Numbering Plan, callers dial as if undertaking regular ten-digit dialling in those countries. Callers dial 1 + NPA area code + seven digit phone number.
Though usually toll-free when dialled from the US, not all 1-800 phone numbers are toll-free when dialled from Trinidad and Tobago, and may be treated as a toll call.
When calling to areas outside the NANP (e.g., the United Kingdom), callers dial 011 + country calling code + phone number. In the case of the UK, a user would dial 011 + 44 + UK phone number.