Every day, millions of Filipinos call and text each other. But before you pick up that phone there is something very important you should know that is the first four digits of any mobile number tell you exactly which network it belongs to. These four digits are called mobile prefix numbers. If you know them you can save money, pick the right promo and avoid paying extra charges when calling or texting someone on a different network.
This guide will teach you everything you need to know about mobile prefix numbers in the Philippines. From Globe to Smart, from DITO to GOMO we have got you covered.
In the Philippines, every mobile phone number has 11 digits. For example, a number might look like this: 0917-123-4567.
The first four digits of that number in this case, 0917 are called the mobile prefix number. This prefix is like a name tag for the network. It tells you right away which telecom company issued that SIM card.
The National Telecommunications Commission or NTC is the government body that gives out these prefix numbers to each telecom company. So when you see a number starting with 0917 you already know it belongs to Globe Telecom. When you see 0908 that is a Smart number.
Knowing the mobile prefix number of someone you want to call or text can help you in many ways.
Save Money on Calls and Texts. Most networks in the Philippines offer free or cheaper calls and texts when you contact someone on the same network. If you know the prefix you can check if the person is on your network before you call. This way you avoid paying extra for cross-network calls.
Choose the Right Promo. Networks like Globe, Smart and DITO all offer different promos. Some promos only work for calls and texts within the same network. Others cover all networks. If you know the prefix of the person you want to reach you can pick the promo that fits best and not waste your money.
Avoid Scam Numbers. Some scammers use fake numbers to trick people. If you know which prefix belongs to which network you can spot something unusual right away.
Better Load Management. When you reload your SIM you want to make sure your load goes to the right place. Knowing the prefix helps you send load to the correct network and avoid any mistakes.
Useful for Business Owners. If you run a small business and you call customers every day to knowing prefixes helps you manage your communication costs. You can group your contacts by network and use the best promos for each group.
The Philippines has several major telecom networks. Each network has its own set of prefix numbers. Here is a overview of the main networks and their subsidiaries:
| Network | Subsidiary Networks | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Globe Telecom | Touch Mobile (TM), GOMO, Cherry Prepaid | Globe Telecom Inc. |
| Smart Communications | Talk 'N Text (TNT), Sun Cellular | PLDT Inc. |
| DITO Telecommunity | — | Udenna Corp & China Telecom |
Globe and Smart are the two biggest telecom companies in the Philippines. They own other smaller brands as well. DITO is the newest major network and it started its services in March 2021.
In the sections below, you will find the complete prefix list for each network arranged in tables.
Globe Telecom is one of the oldest and biggest telecom companies in the Philippines. It has been around for many years and serves millions of people across the country. Touch Mobile also known as TM or Republika ng TM that is a brand under Globe. TM is very popular because it offers affordable call, text and data promos. Especially for students and young people.
Globe and TM share many of the same prefix numbers because TM runs on Globe’s network. This means that if you have a Globe SIM and your friend has a TM SIM for calling each other is usually free or very cheap.
| Prefix | Network |
|---|---|
| 0817 | Globe Postpaid |
| 0905 | Globe Prepaid |
| 0906 | Globe |
| 0915 | Globe |
| 0916 | Globe |
| 0917 | Globe |
| 0926 | Globe |
| 0927 | Globe |
| 0935 | TM |
| 0936 | TM |
| 0937 | TM |
| 0945 | TM |
| 0956 | Globe |
| 0957 | Globe |
| 0965 | Globe |
| 0966 | Globe |
| 0975 | TM |
| 0976 | GOMO / Globe |
| 0977 | Globe |
| 0978 | Globe |
| 0979 | Globe |
| 0994 | Globe / TM |
| 0995 | Globe |
| 0996 | Globe |
| 0997 | Globe |
Smart Communications is the other big telecom company in the Philippines. It is owned by PLDT which is one of the largest telecom groups in the country. Smart has two main subsidiary networks: Talk ‘N Text (TNT) and Sun Cellular.
TNT also called Talk ‘N Text started as a brand called Mobiline before it became TNT. Sun Cellular is another brand under Smart that offers affordable plans as well.
Just like Globe and TM, Smart, TNT and Sun Cellular share prefix numbers because they all run on the same Smart network. This means calling between Smart, TNT and Sun numbers is usually free or very cheap.
You can also check your TM Sim Activation.
| Prefix | Network |
|---|---|
| 0813 | Smart / TNT |
| 0907 | Smart / TNT |
| 0908 | Smart / TNT |
| 0909 | Smart / TNT |
| 0910 | Smart / TNT |
| 0911 | Smart / TNT |
| 0912 | Smart / TNT |
| 0913 | Smart / TNT |
| 0914 | Smart / TNT |
| 0918 | Smart / TNT |
| 0919 | Smart / TNT |
| 0920 | Smart / TNT |
| 0921 | Smart / TNT |
| 0928 | Smart / TNT |
| 0929 | Smart / TNT |
| 0930 | Smart / TNT |
| 0938 | Smart / TNT |
| 0939 | Smart / TNT |
| 0940 | Smart / TNT / Sun |
| 0946 | Smart / TNT |
| 0947 | Smart / TNT |
| 0948 | Smart / TNT |
| 0949 | Smart / TNT |
| 0950 | Smart / TNT |
| 0951 | Smart / TNT |
| 0961 | Smart / TNT |
| 0963 | Smart / TNT |
| 0968 | Smart / TNT |
| 0969 | Smart / TNT |
| 0970 | Smart / TNT |
| 0981 | Smart / TNT |
| 0989 | Smart / TNT |
| 0998 | Smart / TNT |
| 0999 | Smart / TNT |
| Prefix | Network |
|---|---|
| 0922 | Sun Cellular |
| 0923 | Sun Cellular |
| 0924 | Sun Cellular |
| 0925 | Sun Cellular |
| 0931 | Sun Cellular |
| 0932 | Sun Cellular |
| 0933 | Sun Cellular |
| 0934 | Sun Cellular |
| 0941 | Sun Cellular |
| 0942 | Sun Cellular |
| 0943 | Sun Cellular |
| 0944 | Sun Cellular |
| 0973 | Sun Cellular |
| 0974 | Sun Cellular |
DITO Telecommunity is the newest big telecom network in the Philippines. It started its commercial services in March 2021. Before that it was known as Mislatel. The Philippine government chose DITO to become the third major telecom provider in the country so that people would have more choices and better competition among networks.
DITO stands for a Filipino word meaning “here.” The company wants to show that it is focused on bringing fast and affordable mobile services to Filipinos everywhere. DITO offers both 4G LTE and 5G services, which means it has very fast internet speeds in many areas. Today DITO is available in more than 700 cities and municipalities across the Philippines.
Since DITO is newer than Globe and Smart it does not have as many prefix numbers yet. But it is growing fast and adding more every year.
| Prefix | Network |
|---|---|
| 0895 | DITO |
| 0896 | DITO |
| 0897 | DITO |
| 0898 | DITO |
| 0899 | DITO |
| 0991 | DITO |
| 0992 | DITO |
| 0993 | DITO |
| 0994 | DITO |
GOMO is a fully digital mobile brand in the Philippines. It is not a separate telecom company. It actually runs on Globe Telecom’s network. GOMO is what is called an MVNO which stands for Mobile Virtual Network Operator.
What makes GOMO special is that it is designed for people who love using their phones online. GOMO is known for offering no-expiry data plans, which means your data does not run out after a few days like regular promos. This is why GOMO is very popular among students, freelancers and young professionals.
| Prefix | Network |
|---|---|
| 0976 | GOMO |
| 0978 | GOMO |
| 0979 | GOMO |
Not all prefix numbers are for regular prepaid SIM cards. Some prefixes are given to postpaid and corporate customers. These are people or companies that pay a monthly bill instead of buying load every time they want to make a call.
Companies and businesses often use postpaid SIM cards because they need to make a lot of calls every day. These postpaid numbers sometimes have slightly different prefixes or sub-prefixes than the regular prepaid ones.
| Prefix | Network / Use |
|---|---|
| 0813 | Corporate Globe lines |
| 0817 | Globe Postpaid (legacy) |
| 0981 | Smart Enterprise accounts |
| 0989 | Smart Business accounts |
These postpaid prefixes usually have five digits instead of four. For example, 09175 is a Globe postpaid number. The first four digits (0917) tell you it is Globe, and the fifth digit (5) tells you it is a postpaid account.
If you work in a company or run a business. It is good to know about these prefixes. They help you understand who is calling and which type of account they are using.
Sometimes you get a call or text from an unknown number and you want to know which network it is on. Here are some easy ways to find out:
This is the easiest and fastest way. Just check the first four digits of the number and compare them to the prefix lists above. For example, if the number starts with 0917 it is Globe or TM. If it starts with 0908 it is Smart or TNT.
There are apps on Google Play and the App Store that can tell you which network a number belongs to. Some popular ones include PREFIX PH and similar tools. Just type in the number and the app will tell you the network right away.
If you are not sure you can call Globe at 211 or Smart at 888 and ask them. They can help you check if a specific number is on their network.
Globe, Smart and DITO all have websites where you can find information about their prefix numbers. You can visit these sites anytime to doublecheck.
This is the simplest method. If you know the person just ask them which network they are using. Most people know their own network.
Choosing the right network in the Philippines can feel confusing because there are so many options. Here is a simple comparison to help you understand the differences between the three main networks.
| Feature | Globe Telecom | Smart Communications | DITO Telecommunity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Started | 1994 | 1998 | 2021 |
| Subsidiary Brands | TM, GOMO, Cherry Prepaid | TNT, Sun Cellular | None yet |
| Network Type | 4G LTE, 5G | 4G LTE, 5G | 4G LTE, 5G |
| Coverage | Nationwide | Nationwide | Growing fast, now in 700+ cities |
| Known For | GCash mobile wallet, strong data plans | Wide coverage, affordable call promos | Affordable data, fast speeds |
| Best For | Data users, GCash users, online shoppers | Callers, texters, business users | Budget-conscious users wanting fast data |
| Popular Prefixes | 0917, 0927, 0955, 0977 | 0908, 0918, 0930, 0999 | 0991, 0992, 0993 |
Mobile prefix numbers are still a big part of daily communication in the Philippines. With new networks, SIM registration rules and the fast growth of 5G prefixes will keep changing in the next few years. By keeping your prefix list updated you can quickly spot which network a number belongs to, save money and stay safe from unknown callers.
Make sure to bookmark this guide and check back every few months it is your best source for the latest and most accurate mobile prefixes in the Philippines.
0917 belongs to Globe Telecom and is one of its oldest postpaid and prepaid numbers.
0995 is a Globe / TM prefix.
The Philippine telecom industry is always growing. DITO is still expanding its coverage and adding new prefixes. Keep an eye on local tech news sites for updates on any new networks or changes to existing ones.
The country code for the Philippines is +63. When calling a Philippine mobile number from abroad replace the leading 0 with +63. For example 0917-123-4567 becomes +63-917-123-4567.
Yes. Because of the Mobile Number Portability Law in the Philippines a person can switch networks while keeping the same number. This means a number with a Globe prefix might now be on the Smart network. Always verify if you are unsure.
Globe Telecom has many prefix numbers but the most common ones are 0915, 0917, 0926, 0927, 0955 and 0977. Touch Mobile (TM) shares many of these same prefixes.
Philippine mobile numbers have 11 digits in total. The format is 09XX-XXX-XXXX. The first four digits (09XX) are the prefix and the remaining seven digits are the unique number.
A mobile prefix number is the first four digits of an 11-digit Philippine mobile number. These digits tell you which telecom network the number belongs to. For example, 0917 is a Globe number and 0908 is a Smart number.