We’re all familiar with the “080” and all the others like “070,” “081,” and more recently “090,” “091,” and all the others. From the first three digits of the phone number, you can guess the network a person is using, whether MTN, Airtel, 9Mobile, or Glo. However, it’s not always that easy.
In this post, I will show you how to know the network of a number in Nigeria. But why would you want to know what network a person is using? There are many reasons.
Maybe you want to recharge a phone number. For instance, if you’re using a bank app, you must select the network. Also, perhaps you only have airtime to call a particular network. Hence, you want to confirm if the phone number you have to reach is compatible.
These are just a few reasons. You may have some other reason, but they all have the same solution. Check out the different ways to know the network of a number in Nigeria below:
1. Call the number
As simple as it sounds, this is one of the easiest ways to know the network of a number in Nigeria. However, it’ll only work if the number is unavailable, especially when the phone you’re calling is switched off.
If you call an MTN number that’s switched off, for example, you’ll hear something like this:
The MTN number you’re trying to call is currently switched off. Please try again later.
It’s similar to other networks. The “MTN” becomes “Airtel,” or “Glo,” or “9Mobile.” You’ll also hear something similar if the number you’re calling is unavailable due to network or something similar.
In summary, if you want to know the network of a number via this first method, simply dial the number and “hope” that it’s unavailable. The IVR – Interactive Voice Response that is – will provide the answer you seek.
2. Use call apps
Check the Google Play Store if you use Android or the Apple App Store if you use iPhone. There are call apps you can use to know the network of a number in Nigeria. I’ll share one with you, a popular app you already know. I’m talking about Truecaller.
People use Truecaller to know the identity of callers. I’m sure you’ve used it at least once. Well, among the many details you get from Truecaller is the network of the number. Truecaller is free to use. You either install the app or visit the website.
Whichever route you take, you must create an account. The good thing is that you can easily create a Truecaller account using your Google or Microsoft account. You won’t be filling out any lengthy registration form.
After you sign in, simply enter the phone number whose network you need to know, and hit the search button. The mobile network of the number is the second detail you’ll get, after the person’s name. Other details you’ll find include the address and email of the person, if available.
Truecaller isn’t the only “phone number detector app” in Nigeria. Others you can use include Trapcall, Whowho, CallApp, and Callblock. However, with Truecaller, it’s easy and swift.
3. Study the prefix
Here we go the traditional way. Yes, you can guess the network of a number in Nigeria via the first four digits. Some prefixes are exclusive to a particular mobile network. Here are common prefixes for popular mobile networks in Nigeria:
- MTN: 0803, 0806, 0703, 0706, 0813, 0816, 0810, 0814, 0903, 0906
- Airtel: 0802, 0808, 0708, 0704, 0812, 0701, 0901, 0902, 0904
- Glo: 0805. 0807, 0705, 0815, 0811, 0905
- 9Mobile: 0809, 0818, 0817, 0909
What if it’s an international number?
Perhaps you have a friend or family member that traveled out of Nigeria. They could call you with an international number and leave you wondering what network it is. Well, you don’t have to stress a lot. It’s easy to identify international numbers.
First of all, international numbers are different from Nigerian local numbers. They don’t start with 080 or +234 or anything similar. The only problem you might have is knowing what country the number is calling from.
If you use Truecaller, the app will easily identify the caller country. Otherwise, you can check the below list of some popular countries and their dialing codes:
- 213: Algeria
- 244: Angola
- 54: Argentina
- 61: Australia
- 880: Bangladesh
- 32: Belgium
- 229: Benin
- 267: Botswana
- 55: Brazil
- 237: Cameroon
- 1: Canada
- 236: Central African Republic
- 235: Chad
- 56: Chile
- 86: China
- 886: Taiwan
- 57: Colombia
- 242: Congo
- 506: Costa Rica
- 385: Croatia
- 420: Czech Republic
- 45: Denmark
- 809: Dominican Republic
- 20: Egypt
- 503: El Salvador
- 251: Ethiopia
- 33: France
- 241: Gabon
- 220: Gambia
- 49: Germany
- 233: Ghana
- 30: Greece
- 224: Guinea
- 852: Hong Kong
- 91: India
- 62: Indonesia
- 98: Iran
- 964: Iraq
- 353: Ireland
- 972: Israel
- 39: Italy
- 225: Ivory Coast
- 876: Jamaica
- 81: Japan
- 962: Jordan
- 254: Kenya
- 82: Korea
- 965: Kuwait
- 371: Latvia
- 231: Liberia
- 370: Lithuania
- 218: Libya
- 352: Luxembourg
- 261: Madagascar
- 60: Malaysia
- 52: Mexico
- 212: Morocco
- 258: Mozambique
- 264: Namibia
- 977: Nepal
- 31: Netherlands
- 599: Netherlands Antilles
- 687: New Caledonia
- 64: New Zealand
- 505: Nicaragua
- 227: Niger
- 234: Nigeria
- 850: North Korea
- 47: Norway
- 92: Pakistan
- 507: Panama
- 595: Paraguay
- 51: Peru
- 63: Philippines
- 48: Poland
- 974: Qatar
- 40: Romania
- 7: Russia
- 966: Saudi Arabia
- 221: Senegal
- 232: Sierra Leone
- 65: Singapore
- 252: Somalia
- 27: South Africa
- 34: Spain
- 249: Sudan
- 46: Sweden
- 41: Switzerland
- 886: Taiwan
- 255: Tanzania (includes Zanzibar)
- 66: Thailand
- 228: Togo (Togolese Republic)
- 690: Tokelau
- 676: Tonga
- 1 868: Trinidad and Tobago
- 216: Tunisia
- 90: Turkey
- 256: Uganda
- 380: Ukraine
- 971: United Arab Emirates
- 44: United Kingdom
- 598: Uruguay
- 1: USA
- 260: Zambia
- 263: Zimbabwe