What Organizations Use the DSN Network?

The majority of Department of Defense (DoD) commands have one or more phone lines in the DSN network. Just because a command has a DSN phone number, however, does not mean that the number(s) will automatically be listed in the global DSN directory. The command has to formally request via the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) to be listed in the directory.

How to dial a DSN Number


Although the DSN phone network can be accessed by a commercial phone at a command or agency that is an authorized network user, they can not be called from a personal or home phone.

First of all you need to know the access numbers to dial on your phone to access the DSN network. Typically this will be a one or two digit combination such as “88,” “89”, or “99.” Then dial the DSN area code for the geographic region that you are calling. If you are dialing a DSN phone number for the same region that you are located, this step can be omitted.

The DSN area codes are:

Continental US/Puerto Rico – 312, 502 for video calls
Europe – 314, 504 for video calls
Pacific – 315, 505 for video calls
Alaska – 317, 507 for video calls
Central Command (Southwest Asia)- 318, 504 for video calls
Canada – 319, 509 for video calls

Dial the seven digit DSN phone number and complete the phone call as you would with a commercial phone line.

If you need to make a secure phone call, you will need to follow the procedures at your command or organization to initiate a secure call after the person you are calling answers the phone.

Please note: you can’t direct dial a DSN number from a regular phone (PSTN) unless they have a regular phone number as well.

For example, many DSN numbers like 312-381-xxxx are 703-882-xxxx on a regular phone so if you needed to call 312-381-1234 on the DSN, you’d call 703-882-1234 on a regular phone. Definitely not all DSN numbers work that way but some do. Other than that, you’d have to get someone to transfer your call for you.

You can try this number 719-567-1110 (to access DSN switchboard in Schriever AFB  Colorado Springs center) but I don’t know if they’ll let a civilian on the DSN transferred or not.

Also you may try convert a DSN number to its commercial equivalent and vice versa using these tables. Not all DSN numbers has an equivalent of public line.

Complete DSN directory is here. Hope it helps to get in touch with the person you want to call.

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