So, what's the full length number for my mobile?
 

I always have a devil of a time with international numbers, sometimes ya have to use a + symbol, sometimes not, sometimes there's a country code, etc. When I was in Copenhagen, I could call some people in Europe successfully, others not. :88)

So, let's say I land in Europe, and I want people there to be able to call me, what number do I tell them? My mobile number is 281-460-1111 to the folks here (for example). What is it to a German or a Dutchman?

And if I want to call someone there... the number is listed as...
+49 30 97 80 44 66 ... or ..... +49 (0) 176 356 256 44 :o




What do I do with the + ?? And what's the zero for? And why does one have an extra number, 13 vs 12??

You ignore the +. It just means that the 49 is added on. 49 is the code that assigns the number to Germany.

With regards to the extra (0), it just means that if you eliminate the +49 then you add a 0 on the front. Using UK numbers as I'm more familiar with them, +44 1234 567890 is the same as 01234 823792.

With regards to your number, according to Wikipedia, it should be +1 281-460-1111 for foreign calls (ie from non US/Canada). This is not location based so your number is same regardless of what country you're in as it's a mobile.

Ok, that makes sense, thanks.

So, ignore the math sign, I just pull out my phone and poke in
49 30 97 80 44 66 ... or
49 17 63 56 25 64 4 wait, what?

And my number does not need the country code for people to ring me? Does the US get special privleges or what?:shucks:

Needs +1 in front. But that applies wherever you're using it. So for me to ring you from the UK it'll be +1 281-460-1111 regardless of whether you're physically in the US, Canada, Germany or even in the UK.

Because your phone is a US phone, essentially the way it works is the number routes to the US and it's then down to your phone company to route it to the location of the handset.

Don't worry about the variable lengths of the German numbers. Apparently Germany isn't consistent with the lengths of the numbers.

To have them call YOU - you have to include the country code where the call will be routed to - which for the US - is 11

so they would dial either

11 ### ###-#### meaning 11 (area code) (exchange) (4 digit number)

They may or may not require the 1 - since most European places don't need that.

You do need the + or 00 before the country code if calling between countries.

It may be cheaper for you to buy a pay-as-you-go sim card for any in country calls, but then nobody will know your new temporary number.