---
sourceDocument: Australia Telecommunications Network Inventory
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/telecom-network-inventory

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia Telecommunications Network Inventory

ft:clusterId :

    - telninv

bundleId :

    - telninv

workflow :

    - Customer and Industry


---

# Components of a telephone number

# Components of a telephone number {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Australia  
Updated March 12, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read  
A telephone number is a unique numerical identifier assigned to a telephone line or device for making and receiving telephone calls. Components of a number are central office code, country code, area code, and rate
center.

## Central office code, country code, area code, and rate center {#create_components__section_vps_fg1_4xb}

* Central office code - The central office code, also known as an exchange code. It identifies a telephone exchange within a particular area code and helps to route calls within the local telephone network. See [Create a central office code](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/JVGQl1t~ND~rY29eIy_bMg "Create a central office code to allocate it to an area code of a country by using the Telecommunications Network Inventory application.") to learn more.
* Country code - A country code is also referred to as an international dialing code. It's generally a one to three-digit code that is dialed before the area code and telephone number when contacting to another country. See [Create a country code](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/LGLh_RMWAwtzDmfcWKkG5Q "Create, review, update, or delete a country code by using the Telecommunications Network Inventory application. A country can have multiple phone formats and phone validations.") to learn more.
* Area code - An area code is a number used to identify a geographic region within a country. See [Create an area code](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/a95Aj3LxvSowTNP13tWMHQ "Create, review, update, or delete an area code by using the Telecommunications Network Inventory application.") to learn more.
* To learn more about telephone numbers, how to manage and assign them, see [Create a telephone infrastructure](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/TwIdx5DvL8kQoSpQr1MBdQ "Create telephone blocks and number allocations, and assign telephone numbers by using the telephone infrastructure provided by the Telecommunications Network Inventory application.")

{#create_components__ul_sbm_3g1_4xb}