Every Afghan mobile number starts with a two- or three-digit prefix that tells you which network it is on. Knowing the prefix is handy — but when you send a top-up online you do not actually need it, because the network is detected automatically from the number. Still, if you want to know whether a number is Roshan, Afghan Wireless, Etisalat, Salaam or ATOMA, this guide makes it simple.
The quick answer: Afghan number prefixes
Afghan mobile numbers are nine digits after the country code (+93), and locally they are written with a leading zero, like 07XX XXX XXX. The digits right after the 0 identify the operator:
| Prefix | Network | Top-up guide |
|---|---|---|
| 070, 071 | Afghan Wireless (AWCC) | AWCC top-up |
| 072, 079 | Roshan | Roshan top-up |
| 073, 078 | Etisalat | Etisalat top-up |
| 074, 075 | Salaam | Salaam top-up |
| 076, 077 | ATOMA (formerly MTN) | ATOMA top-up |
So a number like 0791 234 567 is Roshan, and 0700 123 456 is Afghan Wireless.
How do I read a number written with +93?
If someone gives you the number in international format, it will look like +93 79 123 4567. Drop the +93 and add a 0 to get the local form (0791234567). The prefix rule above then applies to the digits after that 0.
Do I need to know the network to send a top-up?
No. When you top up an Afghan number online, you type the full number and the system reads the prefix for you, choosing Roshan, AWCC, Etisalat, Salaam or ATOMA automatically. You cannot pick the wrong network by mistake. The prefix table is only useful if you are curious, or if you want to read the specific guide for that operator.
Can number portability change the network?
Afghanistan has limited mobile number portability, so in most cases the prefix still reflects the original network. Because online top-up detects the live operator from the number rather than relying only on the prefix, the credit still reaches the right account even in the rare case a number has moved.
Which network should family use?
That is up to them and their coverage, but all five work the same way when you send credit from abroad. If they mostly use the internet, it is often better value to send a data bundle than airtime — see airtime vs data bundle to decide. And whichever network it is, the price you pay is built the same way, explained in how much it costs to top up an Afghan number.
Frequently asked questions
What network is 070 in Afghanistan?
Numbers starting 070 or 071 are Afghan Wireless (AWCC). You can recharge them with the AWCC top-up guide.
Which prefix is Roshan?
Roshan uses 072 and 079. See the Roshan top-up guide.
How do I know if a number is Etisalat, Salaam or ATOMA?
Etisalat uses 073 and 078, Salaam uses 074 and 075, and ATOMA (formerly MTN) uses 076 and 077.
Do I need the prefix to send a top-up?
No. Enter the full number and the network is detected automatically, so you never have to choose the operator yourself.
How do I convert a +93 number to the local format?
Remove the +93 and put a 0 in front. So +93 79 123 4567 becomes 0791234567.
Top up any Afghan network now
Whatever the prefix, you can send airtime or data to any Afghan number in seconds — the network is picked for you automatically. Paying from a specific country? See our guides for the USA, the UK, Canada and Germany.