The Quirk in Apple's Phone Number Formatting: A Slovenian Dilemma
I've always had a keen eye for detail, which often serves me well in spotting things that many might overlook.
However, one particular issue has been bothering me since it caught my attention in 2019 when I first adopted a separate phone number system inspired by Tim Ferris' book "4-Hour Workweek".
I was on a budget, Workweek, and rightfully so, I got a 069 number from HoT (Hofer Telekom), a known provider for their affordability. But shortly after inserting the SIM card and setting it up, what I noticed was rather peculiar. The formatting of the number was completely wrong!
In contrast, the correct formatting should be something like this:
It was more than just a professional annoyance - it was about how iOS systems handle certain Slovenian carrier mobile phone number prefixes. While the beauty of technology lies in its ability to simplify our lives, it seems that even the most polished systems have their quirks, and Apple's iOS is no exception.
Decoding the Formatting Fiasco
In Slovenia, mobile phone numbers typically follow a specific format. Each mobile carrier (excluding landlines for now) gets its prefix after our country code +386:
| Mobile Carrier | Prefixes |
|---|---|
| A1 (including Bob, HoT...) | 030, 040, 068, 069 |
| Telekom Slovenije (including Izimobil, SparMobil...) | 031, 041, 051, 065 |
| Telemach | 070, 071 |
| T-2 | 064 |
| Mega M | 065 |
Additionally, all phone numbers, both landlines and mobile phone numbers need to follow Slovenian formatting to be successfully dialed and correctly routed.
| Type | Situation | Number Format |
|---|---|---|
| Landlines | Region1 to Region1 | xxx xx xx |
| Landlines | within Slovenia | 01 xxx xx xx |
| Landlines | outside Slovenia | +386 1 xxx xx xx |
| Mobile | within Slovenia | 041 xxx xxx |
| Mobile | outside Slovenia | +386 41 xxx xx xx |
This system has worked well, providing a clear distinction between mobile and landline numbers.
If there is one nonzero number at the start/after prefix, 01 for example, you know it's a landline; if there are two, 041 for example, you can be sure it's a mobile number calling you.
Apple's iOS, known for its intuitive design and user-friendly interface, correctly formats long-standing mobile prefixes like 041, 031, 051, and even 064 (you will see why 064 is a special cookie 🍪 later), ensuring they are easily recognizable as mobile numbers.
The Tale of Landline Prefixes
Remember how I skipped information on landline prefixes? It's time to introduce them now. In Slovenia, landline numbers begin with a simpler format, such as 01 for Ljubljana, showcasing their regional roots.
| Area | Code |
|---|---|
| Ljubljana | 01 |
| Maribor, Murska Sobota, Ravne na Koroškem | 02 |
| Celje, Trbovlje | 03 |
| Kranj | 04 |
| Koper, Postojna, Nova Gorica | 05 |
| Novo Mesto, Krško | 07 |
A unique aspect of this numbering system is where mobile and landline prefixes could potentially overlap. Take, for example, the region of Celje/Trbovlje, which is associated with the 03 area code for landlines.
In the realm of mobile numbers, the prefix 031 (belonging to Telekom Slovenije) exists as well, serving as one of the clear exceptions that a landline cannot share this prefix. Despite these intricacies, iPhones and other Apple devices generally navigate the maze of Slovenian prefixes with commendable accuracy, properly distinguishing between mobile and landline numbers in most cases.
The Mystery of the missing 06 Prefix and a short glimpse into it's history (A wee bit incorrect, but corrected in the amendment below)
Astute observers might have noticed a gap in the sequence of today's landline prefixes: the elusive 06.
This omission is not without its history. The 06 was Slovenia's telephone prefix in times of Yugoslavia, which Slovenia was part of until its independence in 1991. That system laid the foundation for today's system where it allocated specific area codes to regions. Ljubljana was 061, Maribor 062, and so on, all the way through to Murska Sobota, 069. But in the 2000s everything changed and we got the system we know today.
The 06 Evolution - VNO's springboard to success
The intriguing narrative of the 06 prefix in Slovenia's telecommunication landscape has evolved significantly from its historical roots. Today, the once-missing 06 has reemerged with a modern twist, finding its place within the digital era, ditching its landline roots behind.
In the current Slovenian mobile market, the 06 prefix has predominantly become associated with virtual network operators (VNOs). These virtual providers, unlike traditional mobile carriers, do not own the physical network infrastructure. Instead, they operate by leveraging the networks of established carriers, offering their services under unique prefixes and branding.
Tackling the 06X Number Conundrum
As our journey through the landscape of Slovenian telephone prefixes draws to a close, we arrive at the crux of our tale:
The peculiar case of the new 06X numbers (excluding 064) being misidentified as landlines on Apple devices. This issue, seemingly minor at first glance, has become a symbol of a larger struggle—a quest for clarity and correctness in the digital age.
At first, this may seem like a simple technical glitch, but it has caused quite a stir among users. At the moment, this is how all prefixes are formatted:
| Type | Number | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Landline | 0 1 123 4567 | CORRECT |
| Landline | 0 2 123 4567 | CORRECT |
| Landline | 0 3 987 6543 | CORRECT |
| Landline | 0 4 987 6543 | CORRECT |
| Landline | 0 5 987 6543 | CORRECT |
| Landline | 0 7 987 6543 | CORRECT |
| Mobile | 030 123 456 | CORRECT |
| Mobile | 031 123 456 | CORRECT |
| Mobile | 040 123 456 | CORRECT |
| Mobile | 041 123 456 | CORRECT |
| Mobile | 051 123 456 | CORRECT |
| "Mobile" VoIP Space | 059 123 456 | CORRECT |
| Mobile | 06 512 3456 | INCORRECT (065 123 456) |
| Mobile | 06 812 3456 | INCORRECT (068 123 456) |
| Mobile | 06 912 3456 | INCORRECT (069 123 456) |
| Mobile | 070 123 456 | CORRECT |
| Mobile | 071 123 456 | CORRECT |
| ToolFree | 080 123 456 / 080 123 4 | CORRECT for 6-digit & INCORRECT for 4-digit (080 XX XX) |
| "Mobile" VoIP space | 08 198 7654 | INCORRECT (081 987 654) |
| "Mobile" VoIP space | 08 212 3456 | INCORRECT (082 123 456) |
| "Mobile" VoIP space | 08 312 3456 | INCORRECT (083 123 456) |
| Televoting | 089 123 456 | CORRECT |
| Commercial | 090 XXX XXX / 09 XXX X | CORRECT for 6-digit & INCORRECT for 4-digit (090 XX XX) |
The Discovery of the Quirk
Initially, when I stumbled upon this anomaly myself, I harbored hope that it was just a temporary glitch—a hiccup in the vast, complex machinery of Apple's iOS that would soon be rectified. After all, technology is ever-evolving, constantly updated to iron out flaws and enhance user experience.
Yet, as the seasons changed and years passed—a full five, to be precise—this peculiar formatting persisted, untouched and uncorrected neitherWorkweek by Apple nor by carriers owning these prefixes.
This steadfast oversight led me to a realization: if you want something fixed, sometimes you've got to roll up your sleeves and do it yourself.
It became clear that this wasn't just a glitch but a systemic oversight by Apple, given that Android devices had no trouble distinguishing these numbers correctly. The distinction between Android's flexibility and Apple's rigidity in this matter ruled out the possibility of telecom providers being at fault for not informing Apple. It seemed Apple was simply clinging to outdated formatting information from Yugoslavian times.
Unraveling the Technical Tangle
The solution, at its core, appears rather straightforward: a tweak in how Apple's iOS formats these numbers.
Likely, a regular expression (regex) buried deep within the system's code needs an update to reflect the current state of Slovenian prefixes accurately. Such a change, though seemingly small, would correct the course for countless users, ensuring numbers are presented consistently across devices.
Embarking on the Quest for Resolution
And so, with a mix of determination and a dash of excitement for the unknown, I set forth on this mission to resolve the 06X formatting fiasco. This journey is about more than just fixing a bug; it's a quest for adventure in the mundane, a challenge that breaks the monotony of daily life.
In pursuit of this goal, I plan to reach out to telecom companies neither to see if they need to inform Apple, try to engage as far up in the Apple customer support chain, and perhaps even seek assistance from unexpected quarters.
Why embark on such a quest, you might ask? Because life without challenges is like a sky without stars—dull and devoid of wonder. By navigating this path, I aim to connect with great people, acquire new skills, practice clear communication, and, most importantly, enact a change that benefits everyone.
This adventure is a testament to the belief that with enough tenacity and a touch of creativity, even the smallest voice can make waves in the vast ocean of technology.
Here's to the journey ahead, filled with potential, growth, and the promise of making the digital world a little more accurate, one number at a time.
Hey, There's Been an Update on the Apple Number Formatting Saga!
Guess what happened after I shared our little adventure with Apple's quirky phone number formatting? Things got moving, and here’s the lowdown on what’s been happening since the last post. Buckle up, because it's been quite a ride!
Apple Got in Touch!
Not long after I hit "publish" on the blog, someone from Apple dropped me a line. It was a support case follow-up. They initially thought my phone was having a solo dance party with the number formatting. But after a bit of back and forth, it was clear we were all invited to this party and that the issue was widespread across all devices. They said they would follow back, so in the meantime,, I didn't just sit around; I reached out to Telekom Slovenia for some insights, who kindly pointed me toward AKOS for the nitty-gritty details.
The AKOS follow-up
AKOS, short for the Agency for Communication Networks and Services of the Republic of Slovenia, is the superhero watchdog of Slovenia's digital communications world. From regulating telecoms, broadcasting, and postal services to making sure the internet isn't the Wild West, AKOS keeps things running smoothly.
It turns out, my take on the majority of the "06" number mystery was a bit off-track.
They explained that the number 6 didn’t get the cold shoulder and skip out; it was more about evolving from the old area codes (061, 062, you get the gist) to the sleek +386 country code Slovenia rocks today. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) was behind this, making sure Slovenia got its spot on the global dialing stage. They simply took what Yugoslavia assigned us 06 and added it to the global +38 prefix, so that's where the 6 went :)
Another Buzz from Apple
Fast forward to today, and Apple rings me up again. This time, they're telling me the issue caught the eye of their external team and has been pinged over to the developers in America. Sounds like we might see a fix in a future update. I know this thing isn't that big of a deal, but at the end of the day, the issue was confirmed,meantime and I helped uncover it. Some may say it's so little, but I think I did a pretty cool job :)
Here is the recording of that call (removed, due to blog migration)
Sources
The thing I forgot last time it bit me in the foot so hard. So I backtracked my steps and here they are:
Contributors to Wikimedia projects
Contributors to Wikimedia projects
Special thanks to AKOS & Telekom Slovenije for answering my questions, to friends, and to anyone else I asked about to help me research or provide information on the topic.
Conclusion
This journey’s been a mix of "huh?" moments and "aha!" revelations, and I'm here for it. Cheers to Apple,, and I can’t wait to see how this all unfolds in the (next) software update. Stay tuned!