The +675 country code is for Papua New Guinea (PNG), an island nation in the southwestern Pacific. With about 9 million people spread across half the island of New Guinea and hundreds of smaller islands, PNG is one of the world's most geographically and linguistically diverse countries. Over 800 languages are spoken here.
Calling Papua New Guinea can be challenging. The mountainous terrain and scattered islands make telecommunications infrastructure difficult to build and maintain. Mobile coverage has improved in recent years but remains concentrated in urban areas and along main roads. Reaching someone in a remote village may require patience and timing.
Quick answer: Dial +675 followed by the 8-digit local number. Mobile numbers start with 7 (70-76 range). Port Moresby landlines start with 3. There's no trunk prefix to drop.
How to call Papua New Guinea: quick reference
Australia has the closest ties to Papua New Guinea, having administered the territory until independence in 1975. The largest PNG diaspora is in Australia, particularly in Queensland and northern cities. Many Australians also work in PNG's mining and resource sectors.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| Australia | 0011-675-[local number] |
| US/Canada mobile | +675 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-675-[local number] |
| Japan | 010-675-[local number] |
| China | 00-675-[local number] |
| Indonesia | 00-675-[local number] |
Understanding Papua New Guinea phone numbers
Papua New Guinea phone numbers are 8 digits after the +675 country code. The numbering system is straightforward with no trunk prefix.
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers are 8 digits starting with 7:
- 70XX XXXX, 71XX XXXX - Digicel
- 72XX XXXX, 73XX XXXX - Digicel
- 74XX XXXX, 75XX XXXX - bmobile (Telikom)
- 76XX XXXX - Various
Example: +675 7012 3456
Landline numbers
Landlines use area codes that indicate the region:
| Region | Area Code | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Port Moresby (NCD) | 3 | +675 3XX XXXXX |
| Highlands region | 5 | +675 5XX XXXXX |
| Momase region | 4 | +675 4XX XXXXX |
| New Guinea Islands | 9 | +675 9XX XXXXX |
| Southern region | 6 | +675 6XX XXXXX |
No trunk prefix
Papua New Guinea has no domestic trunk prefix. When someone gives you a number like "7012 3456" or "321 5678," dial it exactly with +675 in front: +675 7012 3456 or +675 321 5678.
Mobile carriers in Papua New Guinea
Two mobile operators serve Papua New Guinea. The market was transformed when Digicel entered in 2007, breaking the state monopoly and rapidly expanding coverage.
Digicel PNG
Digicel is the dominant carrier, entering PNG in 2007 and quickly building a nationwide network. Numbers typically start with 70-73. The company invested in towers across difficult terrain, bringing mobile coverage to many areas for the first time. Digicel offers 3G and 4G in urban areas.
bmobile (Telikom PNG)
bmobile is the mobile arm of the state-owned Telikom PNG. Numbers start with 74-75. As the original operator, bmobile has legacy infrastructure but smaller market share than Digicel. Coverage is strongest in Port Moresby and provincial capitals.
Coverage reality
Despite expansion, mobile coverage remains limited outside urban centers. The terrain makes tower placement expensive and difficult. Many rural villages have no signal, and people may walk hours to reach a spot with coverage. Calls may drop unexpectedly in marginal coverage areas.
Don't confuse +675 with nearby codes
Papua New Guinea's +675 code sits among Pacific island nations:
| Code | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| +675 | Papua New Guinea | Western Pacific, north of Australia |
| +62 | Indonesia | Shares island of New Guinea (West Papua) |
| +61 | Australia | Former administrator, close ties |
| +677 | Solomon Islands | Eastern neighbor |
| +679 | Fiji | Pacific island nation |
| +676 | Tonga | One digit different |
The most common confusion is with Indonesia (+62). The island of New Guinea is split between Papua New Guinea (eastern half, +675) and Indonesia's Papua provinces (western half, +62). If you're trying to reach someone on the Indonesian side of the island, you need +62, not +675.
Time zone considerations
Papua New Guinea uses Papua New Guinea Time (PGT), which is UTC+10. The country does not observe daylight saving time. Some eastern islands (Bougainville) use UTC+11.
| Your location | PNG time difference | Best calling window (UTC) |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (Sydney) | Same or +1 hour | 22:00-10:00 UTC |
| Australia (Brisbane) | Same timezone | 22:00-10:00 UTC |
| Japan | +1 hour | 23:00-11:00 UTC |
| US West Coast (PST/PDT) | +18 hours | 06:00-18:00 UTC |
| US East Coast (EST/EDT) | +15 hours | 03:00-15:00 UTC |
| UK (GMT/BST) | +10 hours | 22:00-10:00 UTC |
Business hours in PNG are Monday through Friday, typically 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Many businesses close for lunch. Government offices keep similar hours but may close earlier on Fridays.
Communication in Papua New Guinea
Network coverage
Coverage is concentrated in Port Moresby, Lae, Mount Hagen, and other major towns. The Highlands Highway corridor has reasonable coverage. Beyond these areas, signal becomes unreliable. Many rural communities have no mobile coverage at all. Even where coverage exists, it may be 2G only.
Internet calling
Internet speeds in PNG are slow and expensive compared to other countries. Facebook is widely used for communication, partly because Digicel has offered free Facebook access. WhatsApp works in areas with decent data coverage but video calls are often impractical due to bandwidth limitations. Traditional voice calls are more reliable.
Communication style
Papua New Guineans speak English, Tok Pisin, and hundreds of local languages. Tok Pisin is the most widely spoken lingua franca. Phone calls tend to be relationship-focused, with greetings and family news before business matters. If calling someone in a village, they may need to walk to find signal, so be patient and flexible about timing.
The Papua New Guinea diaspora
Papua New Guinea's diaspora is small compared to many countries, but the connection with Australia is strong. Many Australians also work in PNG's resource industries and maintain regular contact with the country.
Where Papua New Guineans settled
Australia has the largest PNG community abroad, estimated at 30,000-50,000 people. Queensland and northern Australia are the main destinations given the geographic proximity. Many came as students, through family connections, or for medical treatment not available in PNG.
Other Pacific nations host small PNG communities, particularly in Fiji and New Zealand. Some Papua New Guineans work for regional organizations or international NGOs based in these countries.
Australians in PNG are also a significant calling community. Thousands of Australians work in PNG's mining, oil/gas, and development sectors, maintaining regular contact with family back in Australia.
Why they call home
Family connections drive most calls. PNG has strong clan and family ties, and those abroad maintain regular contact with relatives in villages. Calls spike around Christmas (widely celebrated), Independence Day (September 16), and during family events like funerals, which are major social occasions. Many callers need to coordinate with family about the best time to reach someone who may have limited coverage.
Dialing examples
Here's how to dial Papua New Guinea phone numbers from abroad:
Calling a Digicel mobile
To call a Digicel mobile number 7012 3456 from Australia:
- Dial: 0011-675-7012-3456 or +675 7012 3456
Calling a bmobile number
To call a bmobile number 7456 7890 from the US:
- From a mobile: +675 7456 7890
- From a landline: 011-675-7456-7890
Calling a Port Moresby landline
To call a Port Moresby office at 321 5678 from Japan:
- Dial: 010-675-321-5678 or +675 321 5678
Calling a Highlands landline
To call a Mount Hagen number 542 1234 from Indonesia:
- Dial: 00-675-542-1234 or +675 542 1234
Common mistakes to avoid
Confusing PNG with Indonesian Papua
The island of New Guinea is split between two countries. Papua New Guinea (+675) is the eastern half. Indonesia's Papua provinces (+62) are the western half. If your contact is on the Indonesian side, you need +62 with an Indonesian number, not +675.
Expecting instant connection
Calls to PNG, especially outside major cities, may take longer to connect or fail entirely. If a call doesn't go through, try again. The person you're calling may be in an area with weak signal.
Calling during PNG's night
PNG is UTC+10, which is the same as Sydney (or one hour ahead during Australian daylight saving). If you're in the US or Europe, what feels like a reasonable time for you may be the middle of the night in PNG.
Assuming internet calling will work
While WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are used in PNG, internet speeds are often too slow for reliable voice or video calls outside major urban areas. Traditional phone calls, despite the cost, may be more reliable.
Not coordinating call times
If someone is in a village without coverage, they may need to travel to town or find a hilltop with signal. Agree on a time in advance through text or Facebook Messenger when they'll be in a coverage area.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country code is 675?
+675 is the country code for Papua New Guinea, an island nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, north of Australia.
How many digits are PNG phone numbers?
Papua New Guinea phone numbers are 8 digits after the +675 country code. There's no trunk prefix to drop.
What's the difference between Digicel and bmobile?
Digicel (70-73) is the larger carrier with broader coverage. bmobile (74-75) is the state telecom's mobile service. Both work the same way for international callers, but Digicel generally has better reach in rural areas.
Can I call villages in PNG?
It depends on coverage. Many rural villages have no mobile signal. If someone in a village has a phone, they may need to travel to find coverage. Coordinate timing in advance through text or social media.
What time zone is PNG?
Papua New Guinea uses UTC+10 (PGT), the same as Brisbane, Australia. Some eastern areas like Bougainville use UTC+11. There's no daylight saving time.
Is +675 the same as Indonesian Papua?
No. +675 is Papua New Guinea (the eastern half of New Guinea island). Indonesian Papua (the western half) uses Indonesia's +62 country code.
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