North American Numbering Plan

The North American Numbering Plan (NANP) is a system for three-digit area codes and seven-digit telephone numbers that direct telephone calls to particular regions on a public switched telephone network (PSTN), where they are further routed by the local network. It is applied to the United States and its territories; Canada; Bermuda; and many Caribbean nations.

Related Topics:
North America - Area code - Telephone - PSTN - United States - Territories - Canada - Bermuda - Caribbean

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It was established in 1947, at first embracing only the U.S. and Canada. Soon after, Bermuda and the British West Indies (including a distant Trinidad and Tobago, just off the coast of Venezuela) were added to the North American system given their historic telecommunications administration through Canada as parts of the British Empire and their continued close associations with that country.

Related Topics:
1947 - Bermuda - British West Indies - Trinidad and Tobago - Venezuela - Canada - British Empire

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Despite the "North American" name of the calling plan, Mexico and the Central American countries are not part of the system, although Mexican participation was planned and partly implemented, with direct dialing from the NANP to some parts of Mexico until 1991.

Related Topics:
Mexico - Central America - 1991

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The NANP is administered by the North American Numbering Plan Administration (NANPA).

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