Local area phone numbers (6-7 digits) never start with a zero. Why is that?

Question

I know what 10 digits numbers or 14 digit complete numbers can start with zero, but I'm wondering about the short numbers. Does it have anything to do with historical reasons, i.e. in the beginning 0 was dialed to call an operator?

Answer 1

Because 0 is used to dial the operator (still). It's also so equipment can distinguish between local and long distance calls. The 2nd number in an area code is also never 0.

Answer 2

I don't think a 7 digit phone number could start with a zero. But calls from skype or any other internet phone could start with a 0 but some internet phones aren't 7 digits because when I call from skype the phone number has more then 7 digits. So I don't know what to tell you.

Answer 3

Your question is having some part of the answer ("in the beginning 0 was dialed to call an operator").

YES 0 and 1 are called PREFIXes and digits reserved for specialized dialing. i.e.00 - ISD International Subscriber Dialing, double 0 prefix is to call the international number, to call from one country to another country. 0 - STD Subscriber Trunk Dialing, Single 0 PREFIX is to call other than the local / international number. Some thing like distant place inside the same country.

Similarly you may not find any private person phone number starts with 1. Because 1 is reserved for special/emergency service and normally free of charge like 100 for Police and 101 for Fire / Ambulance.

Infact there are lot of technical advantages and mandatory to have reserved PREFIXes for call handling and charging in the telephone exchange and hence it is followed.

Answer 4

Pressing zero connects to the operator.