Phone Numbers in Ecuador

Comprehensive Guide to Phone Numbers in Ecuador

Quick Reference

  • Country: Ecuador
  • Country Code: +593
  • International Prefix: 00
  • National Prefix: 0
  • Regulatory Body: Consejo Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (CONATEL)

Overview

Discover the intricacies of Ecuador's telephone numbering plan, including number structures, dialing procedures, and essential technical details. Ecuador adheres to the ITU-T E.164 standard, ensuring global telecommunications compatibility.

Number Structure

General Number Format

Ecuadorian phone numbers are structured with a country code, area or mobile code, and a subscriber number.

  • Country Code: +593
  • Area Codes: 1-digit for landlines, varies by region
  • Mobile Codes: 2-digit (9X)
  • Subscriber Number: 7 digits

Landline Numbers

  • Format: [2-7][2-7]XXXXXX
  • Length: 8 digits (including area code)
  • Examples:
    • 22722776 (Pichincha)
    • 47272776 (Guayas)

Mobile Numbers

  • Format: 9[2-9]XXXXXXX
  • Length: 9 digits
  • Examples:
    • 992345678
    • 987654321

Toll-Free Numbers

  • Format: 1800XXXXXXX
  • Length: 11 digits
  • Examples:
    • 18001234567

Special Services Numbers

  • Format: 1XX
  • Length: 3 digits
  • Examples:
    • 911 (Emergency Services)

Number Formats Table

TypeFormatLength (Digits)Example
Landline[2-7][2-7]XXXXXX822722776
Mobile9[2-9]XXXXXXX9992345678
Toll-Free1800XXXXXXX1118001234567
Special Services1XX3911

Regular Expressions for Validation

Landline Numbers

^[2-7][2-7]\d{6}$

Mobile Numbers

^9[2-9]\d{7}$

Toll-Free Numbers

^1800\d{7}$

Special Services Numbers

^1\d{2}$

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

  • Landline to Landline: Dial the area code followed by the subscriber number. Example: 022345678.
  • Landline to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly. Example: 0998765432.
  • Mobile to Mobile: Dial the mobile number directly. Example: 0987654321.

International Calls

  • Outgoing: Dial 00, the country code, area code (if applicable), and the subscriber number. Example: 00 +593 2 2345678.
  • Incoming: Dial +593, followed by the area code (without the leading zero) and the subscriber number. Example: +593 2 2345678.

Number Portability

Ecuador supports mobile number portability, allowing users to keep their numbers when switching providers, fostering competition and consumer flexibility.

Major Telecom Operators and Number Ranges

Ecuador's leading telecom operators include:

  • Claro Ecuador: Largest operator with extensive services.
  • Movistar Ecuador: Significant market presence.
  • CNT (Corporación Nacional de Telecomunicaciones): State-owned, offering comprehensive services.

ITU-T Standards

Ecuador complies with the ITU-T E.164 standard, ensuring international telecommunications compatibility.

Number Allocation and Management

The Consejo Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (CONATEL) manages phone number allocation, ensuring ITU-T compliance and overseeing number portability.

Technical Restrictions and Special Cases

Golden Numbers

Golden numbers, valued for their memorable patterns, are often auctioned or reserved for premium customers.

Number Blocking

Users can block specific numbers from contacting them, enhancing privacy and security.

Technical Considerations

For developers and system administrators:

  1. Validation: Use regex patterns for phone number validation.
  2. Number Formatting: Store numbers in E.164 format (+593XXXXXXXXX).
  3. Portability: Consider number portability in system designs.
  4. Internationalization: Implement logic for both domestic and international formats.
  5. Time Zones: Ecuador primarily operates in UTC-5.

For current telecommunications regulations, visit the CONATEL official website.