What is the country code for Barbados?

The country code for Barbados is +1 246.

How are phone numbers structured in Barbados?

Phone numbers in Barbados follow the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) and are structured as +1 246 followed by a 7-digit subscriber number. The format is consistent across landline and mobile numbers.

What are the dialing procedures for making international calls from Barbados?

To make an international call from Barbados, you need to dial the international prefix '011', followed by the destination country code, area code, and the subscriber number.

Is mobile number portability supported in Barbados?

Yes, Barbados supports mobile number portability, allowing users to retain their existing phone numbers when switching between service providers.

Which telecom operators are the major providers in Barbados, and what number ranges do they use?

The major telecom operators in Barbados are Digicel Barbados and FLOW (Cable & Wireless). Both operators use the number ranges from 246-2XX-XXXX to 246-9XX-XXXX.

What is the country code for Barbados?

The country code for Barbados is +1 246.

How do I dial a landline number within Barbados?

To dial a landline number within Barbados, dial 1 followed by the 7-digit local number.

What is the format for mobile numbers in Barbados?

Mobile numbers in Barbados follow the format +1 246 [2-9]XX XXXX, which is the same as landline numbers.

How do I make an international call from Barbados?

To make an international call from Barbados, dial 011 followed by the country code, area code, and subscriber number.

Are toll-free numbers available in Barbados?

Yes, toll-free numbers in Barbados typically start with 800 and follow the format +1 800 [2-9]XX XXXX.

What is number portability in Barbados?

Number portability in Barbados allows users to retain their phone numbers when switching service providers.

What are golden numbers in Barbados?

Golden numbers are high-demand numbers that require special approval and allocation criteria in Barbados.

How can I validate a Barbados phone number?

You can validate a Barbados phone number using regular expressions such as ^(\+1\s?246\s?[2-9]\d{2}\s?\d{4})$ for general numbers.

Can I switch mobile providers and keep my number in Barbados?

Yes, mobile number portability in Barbados allows you to switch providers while keeping your number.

What are the major telecom operators in Barbados?

The major telecom operators in Barbados are Digicel Barbados and FLOW (Cable & Wireless).

What is the international prefix for dialing out of Barbados?

The international prefix for dialing out of Barbados is 011.

How are phone numbers structured in Barbados?

Phone numbers in Barbados are structured with the country code +1, area code 246, and a 7-digit subscriber number.

Are there premium-rate numbers in Barbados?

Yes, premium-rate numbers in Barbados usually start with 900 and follow the format +1 900 [2-9]XX XXXX.

What is the national prefix for Barbados?

The national prefix for Barbados is 1.

How do I dial a mobile number from a landline in Barbados?

To dial a mobile number from a landline in Barbados, dial 1 followed by the 7-digit mobile number.

What ITU-T standards does Barbados comply with?

Barbados complies with ITU-T recommendations E.164 for numbering plans and E.123 for notation.

What is the role of the Telecommunications Unit in Barbados?

The Telecommunications Unit manages phone number allocation, portability, and compliance with ITU-T standards in Barbados.

How are geographic numbers formatted in Barbados?

Geographic numbers in Barbados are formatted as +1 246 [2-9]XX XXXX.

What should developers consider when dealing with Barbados phone numbers?

Developers should consider normalization, validation, portability, and internationalization when dealing with Barbados phone numbers.

Understanding Barbados Phone Numbers

Quick Facts

Country: Barbados
Country Code: +1 246
International Prefix: 011
National Prefix: 1

Introduction

Gain a comprehensive understanding of the telephone numbering plan in Barbados. This guide is essential for telecom professionals, developers, and systems administrators who require in-depth knowledge of Barbados' telecommunication system, including number formats, dialing procedures, and regulatory frameworks.

Barbados Phone Number Formats

General Structure

Barbados uses the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), where phone numbers are structured as follows:

Country Code: +1
Area Code: 246 (specific to Barbados)
Subscriber Number: 7 digits

Detailed Number Formats

Type	Format	Example	Description
Geographic	`+1 246 [2-9]XX XXXX`	+1 246 234 5678	Standard landline numbers.
Mobile	`+1 246 [2-9]XX XXXX`	+1 246 823 4567	Mobile numbers use the same format as landlines.
Toll-Free	`+1 800 [2-9]XX XXXX`	+1 800 234 5678	Toll-free services, typically starting with 800.
Premium Rate	`+1 900 [2-9]XX XXXX`	+1 900 234 5678	Premium-rate services, often used for special services.

Regular Expressions for Validation

To ensure phone numbers conform to the expected structure, use these regular expressions:

^(\+1\s?246\s?[2-9]\d{2}\s?\d{4})$  # General format
^(\+1\s?800\s?[2-9]\d{2}\s?\d{4})$  # Toll-free numbers
^(\+1\s?900\s?[2-9]\d{2}\s?\d{4})$  # Premium-rate numbers

Dialing Procedures in Barbados

Domestic Calls

Landline to Landline: Dial 1 + 7-digit local number.
Landline to Mobile: Dial 1 + 7-digit mobile number.
Mobile to Mobile: Dial 1 + 7-digit mobile number.
Mobile to Landline: Dial 1 + 7-digit local number.

International Calls

Outgoing: Dial 011 + Country Code + Area Code + Subscriber Number.
Incoming: Dial +1 246 + 7-digit local number.

Special Services

Toll-Free: Dial 1 + 800 + 7-digit number.
Premium Rate: Dial 1 + 900 + 7-digit number.

Number Portability

Barbados supports mobile number portability, enabling users to retain their phone numbers when switching service providers. This process is managed by local telecom operators and regulated by the Telecommunications Unit under the Ministry of Transport and Works.

Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

Operator	Number Ranges
Digicel Barbados	246-2XX-XXXX to 246-9XX-XXXX
FLOW (Cable & Wireless)	246-2XX-XXXX to 246-9XX-XXXX

Note: Specific number ranges are not publicly disclosed and may vary.

ITU-T Standards Compliance

Barbados complies with the following ITU-T recommendations:

E.164: International public telecommunication numbering plan.
E.123: Notation for national and international telephone numbers.

Number Allocation and Management

The Telecommunications Unit under the Ministry of Transport and Works oversees phone number allocation and management in Barbados, including number portability and compliance with ITU-T standards.

Technical Restrictions and Special Cases

Golden Numbers: High-demand numbers require special approval and allocation criteria.
Number Blocking: Certain ranges may be blocked for security or regulatory reasons.

Developer Considerations

Normalization: Store phone numbers in E.164 format for consistency.
Validation: Utilize provided regular expressions for input validation.
Portability: Implement checks for number portability to accommodate provider switches.
Number Formatting: Consider internationalization for user display.

For the most up-to-date information on telecommunications regulations in Barbados, visit the Telecommunications Unit's official website.