Telephone numbering plan of the USSR refers to a set of telephone area codes, numbers and dialing rules, which operated in the Soviet Union until the 1990s. After the Collapse of the USSR many new independent republics reconstructed their numbering plans. However, many of the principles of the Soviet numbering plan still remains.[citation needed] The international code +7 is retained by Russia and Kazakhstan.

Basic principles edit

The Soviet Union used four-level open numbering plan. The long distance prefix was 8.

  1. One can call a local number without the code. Local numbers usually consists of 5-7 digits, with seven-digit numbers were only occurs in Moscow (since 1968), Leningrad (since 1972) and Kiev (since late 1970s).
  2. Within the same numbering area (most often within the state or province) the type is: 8 2X YYYYYY, where 2 replaces the three-digit area code.
  3. For calls to other areas, first dial long distance prefix 8, then, after the tone - the full code of the numbering area, which consisted of a three-digit code and zone additional digit(X), and then local phone number.
    For example: 8 09624 XXXXX for a call to the city of Klin, Klinsky District, Moscow Oblast.
  4. For international calls, dial 8 10 <country code> <phone number>.
    For example: 8 10 1212 XXXXXXX for a call to the city of New York.

Emergency numbers edit

 
A payphone with a list of toll-free numbers

Emergency numbers in the USSR begin with 0 and have two digits. When you call the emergency number with payphone the fee will not be charged.

Number 07 was used to order long-distance calls through the operator.[citation needed]

Area codes edit

Basically area codes are distributed geographically, so that neighboring regions usually had close area code numbers.

Area 0 edit

Area codes with 0 denotes the republics and Oblasts of the European part of the USSR. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, these codes in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine were preserved, with minor changes. Area codes in Ukraine and Belarus later dropped initial 0. In Russia, on December 2005 the leading zero in the Oblastal area codes has been replaced by a 4.

Area 3 edit

Area 4 edit

Area 8 edit

Notes edit

Sources edit

  1. Http://code.agava.ru/sngsity/sng01.htm
  2. Http://phonecodes.by.ru/01.html
  3. Http://www.scross.ru/guide/phone-local/

Category:Communications in the Soviet Union Category:Telephone numbers by country