The code 028 merged all the exchanges within Northern Ireland into a new single area code with the former 5 and 6 digit numbers in each area migrated to 8 digit numbers. You could say it is a sort of very large extended linked numbering scheme. This occurred as part of the Big Number Change on 22 April 2000. Numbers within each area can be identified by the first 2 digits of the number after the code as shown below. Calls between these areas (except numbers beginning 0 or 1) can be made without using the code.
Click on an old code appearing as a link for further information about the original mixed areas in Northern Ireland.
Note: where no old code is shown these are additional ranges added during or after the Big Number Change.
Numbers |
Area |
Old Code |
| 10XX XXXX | Belfast | |
| 11XX XXXX | Belfast | |
| 20XX XXXX | Ballycastle | 012657 |
| 21XX XXXX | Martinstown | 012667 |
| 25XX XXXX | Ballymena | 01266 |
| 27XX XXXX | Ballymoney | 012656 |
| 28XX XXXX | Larne | 01574 |
| 29XX XXXX | Kilrea | 012665 |
| 30XX XXXX | Newry | 01693 |
| 37XX XXXX | Armagh | 01861 |
| 38XX XXXX | Portadown | 01762 |
| 40XX XXXX | Banbridge | 018206 |
| 41XX XXXX | Rostrevor | 016937 |
| 42XX XXXX | Kircubbin | 012477 |
| 43XX XXXX | Newcastle | 013967 |
| 44XX XXXX | Downpatrick | 01396 |
| 66XX XXXX | Enniskillen | 01365 |
| 67XX XXXX | Lisnaskea | 013657 |
| 68XX XXXX | Kesh | 013656 |
| 70XX XXXX | Coleraine | 01265 |
| 71XX XXXX | Londonderry | 01504 |
| 72XX XXXX | Londonderry | |
| 77XX XXXX | Limavady | 015047 |
| 79XX XXXX | Magherafelt | 01648 |
| 80XX XXXX | Carrickmore | 016627 |
| 81XX XXXX | Newtownstewart | 016626 |
| 82XX XXXX | Omagh | 01662 |
| 85XX XXXX | Ballygawley | 016625 |
| 86XX XXXX | Cookstown | 016487 |
| 87XX XXXX | Dungannon | 01868 |
| 89XX XXXX | Fivemiletown | 013655 |
| 90XX XXXX | Belfast | 01232 |
| 91XX XXXX | Bangor | 01247 |
| 92XX XXXX | Lisburn | 01846 |
| 93XX XXXX | Ballyclare | 01960 |
| 94XX XXXX | Antrim | 01849 |
| 95XX XXXX | Belfast | |
| 96XX XXXX | Belfast | |
| 97XX XXXX | Saintfield | 01238 |
| 98XX XXXX | Belfast |