Legal Restrictions

Legal Restrictions

There can be legal restrictions to owning a local telephone number, and here at World Numbers we work hard to ensure our clients are made aware of any legal or security issues right from the beginning.

See the comprehensive list by country below to ensure your security, and don't hesitate to contact one of our friendly team should you require further information to assist with any legal or security issues. We are currently able to offer a local presence solution in the Netherlands, Germany, France and Norway.

  • Argentina

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • Only 822 numbers can be used with calling cards applications. Local numbers and toll free 800 numbers cannot be used for calling card applications.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • World Number toll free numbers are reachable from fixed phones only. They are not reachable from mobile phones or from payphones.
    • World Number toll free numbers are not internationally reachable and can only be used within Argentina.
    • Toll free capacity is limited to 30 channels per toll free number.
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA :

    Comision Nacional de Comunicaciones (CNC)
    Tel: +54 11 4347 9544
    Website: http://www.cnc.gov.ar

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  • Australia

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • For geographical numbers, the location of the end user (place of residence/business) corresponding to relevant geographic zone is required. This info will be sent to Registry within 24 hours of receiving the request, otherwise the number may be disconnected.
    • Cannot be used for post-paid calling card applications.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • World Number toll free numbers are not internationally reachable and can only be used in Australia
    • World Number toll free numbers are reachable from fixed telephone lines, mobiles and payphones.
    • Calling a toll free number from a mobile phone is not free of charge.
    • T38 is supported.
    Local NRA :

    Australian Communications and Media Authority
    Telephone: +61 2 6219 5555
    Website: http://www.acma.gov.au

    Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF)
    Telephone: +61 2 9959 9111
    Website: http://www.acif.org.au

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  • Austria

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • No restriction reported.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • World Number toll free numbers are reachable from fixed line phones only. They are not reachable from mobile phones or payphones.
    • World Number toll free numbers are not internationally reachable and can only be used in Austria.
    • T38 is supported.
    Local NRA:

    Austrian Regulatory Authority for Broadcasting and Telecommunications (RTR)
    Telephone: +43 1 580 58 0
    Website: http://www.rtr.at

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  • Bahrain

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • No restrictions reported.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • World Number toll free numbers are reachable from fixed line phones and payphones only. They are not reachable from mobile phones.
    • World Number toll free numbers are not internationally reachable and can only be used in Bahrain.
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA:

    Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA)
    Telephone: +973 1752 0000
    Website: http://www.tra.org.bh

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  • Belgium

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • For geographical numbers, the location of the end user (place of residence/business) corresponding to relevant geographic zone is required. This info will be sent to Registry within 24 hours of receiving the request, otherwise the number may be disconnected.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • Service issues have been reported when dialing the 078 numbers from several carriers outside Belgium. This problem will continue to be intermittent as it is outside of our direct control.
    • T38 is supported.
    Local NRA:

    Belgian Institute for Post and Telecommunications (BIPT)
    Telephone: +32 2 226 88 88
    Website: http://www.bipt.be

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  • Brazil

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • STFC license needed for calling card applications.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • Due to some interconnection issues, Porto Alegre DIDs (area code 51) may not be reachable from some PSTN/Mobile carriers inside and outside of Brazil.
    • Due to some interconnection issues, Salvador DIDs (area code 71) may not be reachable from some Mobile carriers inside of Brazil.
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA:

    Agencia Nacional de Telecomunicacoes (ANATEL)
    Telephone: +55 61 312 2336
    Website: http://www.anatel.gov.br

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  • Bulgaria

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • No restriction reported.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA

    Communication Regulation Commission
    Website: http://www.crc.bg

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  • Canada

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • Any provider with annual Canadian telecommunications service revenues exceeding $10 million in the previous fiscal year, as reported to the CRTC under the contribution regime, is required to be a member of the Commissioner for Complaints for Telecommunications Services (Decision CRTC 2007-130 on the establishment of an independent telecommunications consumer agency).
    Service Restriction(s):
    • World Number toll free numbers are reachable from Canada and from the US (mainland, Hawaii and Alaska).
    • World Number toll free numbers are reachable from fixed land lines, mobile and payphones in Canada. They are not reachable from payphones in the US.
    • Calling a World Number toll free number from outside Canada or the US is not free of charge.
    • T38 is supported.
    Local NRA

    Canadian Radio and TV Commission (CRTC)
    Telephone: +1 819 997 0313
    Website: http://www.crtc.gc.ca

    Back to top

  • Chile

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • No restriction reported.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • DIDs come with 2 channels each and are limited to 2 simultaneous calls each.
    • T38 is supported.
    Local NRA

    Subsecretaria de Telecommunicacaiones (SUBTEL)
    Telephone: +56 2 421 30 00
    Website: http://www.subtel.cl

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  • Croatia

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • No restriction reported.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • T38 is not supported.
    • World Number toll free numbers are reachable from fixed line phones and payphones. They are not reachable from mobile phones.
    • World Number toll free numbers are not internationally reachable and can only be used in Croatia.
    Local NRA

    Hrvatska agencija za telekomunikacije
    Tel: +385 1 4896 000
    Website: http://www.telekom.hr

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  • Cyprus

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • Calling cards applications can be provided with World Number toll free numbers only. Company must also be registered with the Cyprus NRA (CYTA).
    Service Restriction(s):
    • World Number toll free numbers are reachable from fixed line phones only. They are not reachable from mobile phones or payphones.
    • World Number toll free numbers are not internationally reachable and can only be used in Cyprus.
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA:

    Cyprus Telecommunications Authority (CYTA)
    Telephone: +357 22701000
    Website: http://www.cyta.com.cy

    Ministry of Communications and Works
    Telephone: +357 22800288
    Website: http://www.mcw.gov.cy

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  • Czech Republic

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • Local Czech address required for geographical numbers.
    • DIDs cannot be used for calling card applications.
    • Toll free 800 numbers cannot be used for calling card applications.
    • Toll free 822 numbers can be used for calling card applications.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • World Number toll free numbers are reachable from fixed line phones and payphones. They are not reachable from mobile phones.
    • World Number toll free numbers are not internationally reachable and can only be used in Czech Republic.
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA

    Czech Telecommunication Office
    Telephone: +420 224 004 111
    Website: http://www.ctu.cz

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  • Denmark

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • No restriction reported.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • Toll free numbers are reachable from fixed line phones only. They are not reachable from mobile phones or payphones.
    • World Number toll free numbers are not internationally reachable and can only be used in Denmark.
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA

    National Telecom Agency (NTA)
    Telephone: +45 35 45 00 00
    Website: http://www.itst.dk/

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  • Dominican Republic

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • DIDs cannot be used for calling card applications.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • When numbers are called from AT&T, the CLI does not display the last digit of the calling number.
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA

    Instituto Dominicano de las Telecomunicaciones
    Website: http://www.indotel.gob.do

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  • El Salvador

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • DIDs cannot be used for calling card applications.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • T38 is supported.
    Local NRA

    Superintendencia General de Electricidad y Telecommunicaciones
    Telephone: +503 257 44 38
    Website: http://www.siget.gob.sv

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  • Estonia

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • No restriction reported.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA

    Estonian Ministry of Transport and Communication
    Tel: +372 6120 500
    Website: http://www.tsm.ee

    Estonian National Communications Board
    Tel: +372 693 1154
    Website: http://www.sa.ee/atp

    Back to top

  • Finland

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • For geographical numbers, the location of the end user (place of residence/business) corresponding to relevant geographic zone is required. This info will be sent to Registry within 24 hours of receiving the request, otherwise the number may be disconnected.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA

    Finnish communication regulatory authority (FICORA)
    Tel: +358 9 6966 500
    Website: http://www.ficora.fi

    Ministry of transport and Communications
    Tel: +358 9 160 02
    Website: http://www.mintc.fi

    Back to top

  • France

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • For geographical numbers, the location of the end user (place of residence/business) corresponding to relevant geographic zone is required. The customer will submit to Registry the required address before activating the number and keep the information updated during use.
    • Services including geographical numbers are not allowed to be resold by non licensed companies.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • T38 is supported.
    Local NRA:

    Federal Network for Electricity, Gas, telecommunications, Post and Railway (BNetzA)
    Telephone: +49 2 28 14 0
    Website: http://www.bundesnetzagentur.de

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  • Germany

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • For geographical numbers, a local address is required in the city corresponding to the geographical zone of requested number. The address will be substantiated by an objective document showing a link between user and address.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • T38 is supported.
    Local NRA:

    Federal Network for Electricity, Gas, telecommunications, Post and Railway (BNetzA)
    Telephone: +49 2 28 14 0
    Website: http://www.bundesnetzagentur.de

    Back to top

  • Greece

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • For geographical numbers, the location of the end user (place of residence/business) corresponding to relevant geographic zone is required. This info will be sent to Registry within 24 hours of receiving the request, otherwise the number may be disconnected.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA:

    National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)
    Telephone: +30 210 615 1000
    Website: http://www.eett.gr

    • Back to top

  • Hungary

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • For geographical numbers, the location of the end user (place of residence/business) corresponding to relevant geographic zone is required. This info will be sent to Registry within 24 hours of receiving the request, otherwise the number may be disconnected.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • Temporary reachability issues have been reported when calling from T-Mobile.
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA:

    National Communications Authority, Hungary
    Tel: +36 1 457 7100
    Website: http://www.hif.hu

    • Back to top

  • Hong Kong

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • Numbers cannot be used for calling card applications.
    • The end users location (place of residence/business) is required with documentary proof.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • Compatibility issues have been reported for international fax transmissions.
    Local NRA:

    Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA)
    Tel: +852 2961 6333
    Website: http://www.ofca.gov.hk/

    • Back to top

  • Ireland

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • For geographical numbers, the location of the end user (place of residence/business) corresponding to relevant geographic zone is required. This info will be sent to Registry within 24 hours of receiving the request, otherwise the number may be disconnected.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • World Number toll free numbers are reachable from fixed line phones and payphones. They are not reachable from mobile phones.
    • World Number toll free numbers are not internationally reachable and can only be used in Ireland.
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA:

    Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg)
    Telephone: +353 1 804 9600
    Website: http://www.comreg.ie

    • Back to top

  • Ireland

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • For geographical numbers, the location of the end user (place of residence/business) corresponding to relevant geographic zone is required. This info will be sent to Registry within 24 hours of receiving the request, otherwise the number may be disconnected.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • World Number toll free numbers are reachable from fixed line phones and payphones. They are not reachable from mobile phones.
    • World Number toll free numbers are not internationally reachable and can only be used in Ireland.
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA: Back to top

  • Israel

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • No restriction reported.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • Reachability issues have been reported when dialing the numbers from Paltel and Jawwal (Palestinian Telco's).
    • World Number toll free numbers are reachable from fixed line phones, mobiles and payphones.
    • World Number toll free numbers are not internationally reachable and can only be used in Israel.
    • Calling a World Number toll free number from a mobile phone is not free of charge.
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA: Back to top

  • Italy

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • For geographical numbers, the location of the end user (place of residence/business) corresponding to relevant geographic zone is required. This info will be sent to Registry within 24 hours of receiving the request, otherwise the number may be disconnected.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • 199 numbers are reachable from Italy only.
    • T38 is supported.
    Local NRA:
    • L'Autorita per le Garanzie nelle Communicazioni (AGCOM)
      Telephone: +39 06 696 441
      Website: http://www.agcom.it
    Back to top

  • Japan

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • No restriction reported.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • World Number toll free numbers are reachable from fixed line phones only. They are not reachable from mobile phones or payphones.
    • World Number toll free numbers are not internationally reachable and can only be used within Japan.
    • T38 is supported.
    Local NRA:
    • The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
      Telephone: +370 5 210 56 33
      Website: http://www.soumu.go.jp
    Back to top

  • Latvia

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • No restriction reported.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA:
    • Communications Regulatory Authority
      Telephone: +370 5 210 56 33
      Website: http://www.rrt.lt
    Back to top

  • Lithuania

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • No restriction reported.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA:
    • Communications Regulatory Authority
      Telephone: +370 5 210 56 33
      Website: http://www.rrt.lt
    Back to top

  • Malta

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • No restriction reported.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA: Back to top

  • Mexico

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • DIDs for Mexico cannot be assigned to companies based in Mexico or to companies that have business operations in Mexico.
    • DIDs cannot be used for calling card applications.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • Reachability issues have been reported when dialing from outside Mexico.
    • T38 is supported.
    Local NRA: Back to top

  • Netherlands

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • For geographical numbers, the location of the end user (place of residence/business) corresponding to relevant geographic zone is required. The customer will submit to Registry the required address before activating the number and keep the information updated during use.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • World Number toll free numbers are reachable from fixed line phones only. They are not reachable from mobile phones or from payphones.
    • World Number toll free numbers are not internationally reachable and can only be used in the Netherlands.
    • Reachability issues have been reported when calling the national 085 numbers from outside the Netherlands.
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA:
    • Onafhankelijke Post en Telecommunicatie Autoriteit (OPTA)
      Telephone: +31 70 315 3500
      Website: http://www.opta.nl/
    Back to top

  • New Zealand

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • No restriction reported.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • World Number toll free numbers are reachable from fixed line phones only. They are not reachable from mobile phones or from payphones.
    • World Number toll free numbers are not internationally reachable and can only be used in New Zealand.
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA: Back to top

  • Norway

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • For geographical numbers, the location of the end user (place of residence/business) corresponding to relevant geographic zone is required. This info will be sent to Registry within 24 hours of receiving the request, otherwise the number may be disconnected.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • T38 is supported.
    Local NRA:
    • Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Authority
      Telephone: +47 22 82 46 00
      Website: http://www.npt.no/
    Back to top

  • Pakistan

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • DIDs cannot be used for calling-card applications.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • DTMF not supported.
    • DIDs come with 2 channels each and are limited to 2 simultaneous calls each.
    • Due to the telecommunications environment in Pakistan, no SLA will be enforced for Pakistan DIDs.
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA: Back to top

  • Panama

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • End-user address required for geographical numbers.
    • DIDs cannot be used for calling-card applications.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • Reachability issues have been reported when dialing from outside Panama.
    • World Number toll free numbers are reachable from fixed line phones only. They are not reachable from mobile phones or from payphones.
    • World Number toll free numbers are not internationally reachable and can only be used in Panama.
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA:
    • Autoridad Nacional de los Servicios Publicos
      Telephone: +507 278-4500
      Website: http://ansp.gob.pa/
    Back to top

  • Peru

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • DIDs cannot be used for calling-card applications.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • T38 is not supported.
    • No CLI guaranteed.
    Local NRA:
    • Organismo Supervisor de Inversion Privada en Telecomunicaciones (OSPITEL)
      Telephone: +51 1 421 4152
      Website: http://www.osiptel.gob.pe/
    Back to top

  • Poland

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • No restriction reported.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • T38 is not supported
    Local NRA: Back to top

  • Puerto Rico

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • No restriction reported.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • T38 is not supported
    Local NRA: Back to top

  • Romania

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • DIDs cannot be used for calling-card applications.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • 031 Numbers not reachable from UPC, RDS and Digimobile.
    • 021 Numbers are not reachable from Mobile networks.
    • Reachability issues have been reported when dialing the 031 numbers from other countries than Romania.
    • T38 is not supported.
    • Due to the telecommunications environment in Romania, no SLA will be enforced for Romanian DIDs
    Local NRA:
    • National Regulatory Authority for Communications
      Telephone: +40/021 30.75.400/401/418
      Website: http://www.anrc.ro
    Back to top

  • Singapore

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • The user shall provide name and address, passport number or business registration number. The customer will transmit to Registry the documents justifying that the information is valid and correct before activation and keep the information updated during use.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA: Back to top

  • Slovakia

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • For geographical numbers, the location of the end user (place of residence/business) corresponding to relevant geographic zone is required. This info will be sent to Registry within 24 hours of receiving the request, otherwise the number may be disconnected.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • World Number toll free numbers are reachable from fixed line phones and payphones. They are not reachable from mobile phones.
    • World Number toll free numbers are not internationally reachable and can only be used in Slovakia.
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA: Back to top

  • Slovenia

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • No restriction reported
    Service Restriction(s):
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA:
    • Agencija za posto in elektronske komunikacije Republike Slovenije
      Telephone: +386 1 583 63 00
      Website: http://www.apek.si/
    Back to top

  • South Africa

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • The end users location (place of residence/business) with documentary proof is required. The location should correspond to the geographical zone of the number used by the end user unless it is a national number.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • Reachability issues have been reported when dialing the numbers from outside South Africa.
    Local NRA:
    • Independent Communications Authority of South Africa
      Telephone: + 27 (11) 566 3000/3001
      Website: http://www.icasa.org.za
    Back to top

  • Spain

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • For geographical numbers, the location of the end user (place of residence/business) corresponding to relevant geographic zone is required. This info will be sent to Registry within 24 hours of receiving the request, otherwise the number may be disconnected.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • 901 and 902 national numbers are not reachable from mobiles.
    • 902 national numbers are not internationally reachable and can only be used in Spain.
    • World Number toll free numbers are reachable from fixed line phones only. They are not reachable from mobiles or from payphones.
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA:
    • Comision del Mercado de las Telecomunicaciones (CMT)
      Telephone: +34 93 603 61 65
      Website: http://www.cmt.es
    Back to top

  • Sweden

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • For geographical numbers, the location of the end user (place of residence/business) corresponding to relevant geographic zone is required. This info will be sent to Registry within 24 hours of receiving the request, otherwise the number may be disconnected.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • World Number toll free numbers are reachable from fixed line phones only. They are not reachable from mobiles or from payphones.
    • World Number toll free numbers are not internationally reachable and can only be used in Sweden.
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA:
    • National Posts & Telecommunications Agency (PTS)
      Telephone: +46 8 678 5500
      Website: http://www.pts.se
    Back to top

  • Switzerland

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • For geographical numbers, the location of the end user (place of residence/business) corresponding to relevant geographic zone is required. This info will be sent to Registry within 24 hours of receiving the request, otherwise the number may be disconnected.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA: Back to top

  • Turkey

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • Cannot be used for calling cards applications.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • DIDs come with 2 channels each and are limited to 2 simultaneous calls each.
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA: Back to top

  • United Kingdom

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • No restriction reported.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • World Number toll free numbers are reachable from fixed line phones and mobiles. They are not reachable from payphones.
    • World Number toll free numbers are reachable from abroad.
    • Calling a World Number toll free number from a UK mobile phone is not free of charge.
    • T38 is supported.
    Local NRA: Back to top

  • United States

    Legal Restriction(s):
    • No restriction reported.
    Service Restriction(s):
    • World Number toll free numbers are reachable from the US (mainland, Alaska and Hawaii) only.
    • Calling a US toll free number from outside the US or Canada is not free of charge.
    • US numbers are subject to "use it or lose it" principle: unused numbers may be reclaimed by Registry upon 5 days' notice.
    • Customers willing to use local numbers for calling card applications will have to contact Registry prior to the submission of their order.
    • T38 is not supported.
    Local NRA:
    • Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
      Telephone: +1 888 225 5322
      Website: http://www.fcc.gov
    Back to top
Frequently Asked Questions