What is the plus sign (‘+’) used for in telephone numbers?

In telephone numbers, the plus sign (‘+’) means ‘dial your country’s exit code.’

Countries often have different exit codes (the code used to access the international switchboard).

As an example, here are countries where dialing the international switchboard is different:

• The USA dial ‘011’
• The United Kingdom dial ’00’
• Australia dial ‘0011’
• Japan dial ‘010’
• Russia dial ‘8 – wait for the dial tone – 10’