In the Philippines, mobile phone numbers have specific prefixes that identify the network provider. A mobile number consists of 11 digits, and the first four digits (the prefix) indicate which network the number belongs to
Major Mobile Networks and Their Prefixes
- Globe Telecom (including Touch Mobile and TM): Prefixes include 0817, 0905, 0906, 0915, 0916, 0917, 0926, 0927, 0935, 0936, 0945, 0955, 0956, 0965, 0966, 0967, 0975, 0976, 0977, 0995, 0997, among others
- Smart Communications (including Talk N’ Text and Sun Cellular): Prefixes include 0908, 0918, 0919, 0920, 0921, 0928, 0939, 0947, 0949, 0951, 0961, 0981, 0985, 0998, 0999, among others
- DITO Telecommunity : Prefixes include 0895, 0896, 0897, 0898, 0991, 0992, 0993, 0994
- Sun Cellular (now part of Smart): Prefixes like 0931, 0932, 0933, 0934, 0940, 0941, 0942, 0943, 0922, 0923, 0924, 0925 are associated with Sun
Additional Notes
- Some virtual network operators like GOMO and Cherry Prepaid operate under Globe Telecom and have their own prefixes
- The country code for the Philippines is +63, and mobile numbers are dialed as 09XX-XXX-XXXX domestically
- There are resources and apps like PreFIX PH that help identify the network of a mobile number by its prefix
This prefix system helps users identify the network of a phone number for purposes like choosing the correct promo or avoiding extra charges when calling different networks
