Understanding Phone Numbers in Nicaragua
Overview of Nicaraguan Phone Number System
Nicaragua's telephone numbering plan adheres to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) E.164 standard. The country code is +505, with no national prefix required for domestic calls. The numbering plan is regulated by the Instituto Nicaragüense de Telecomunicaciones y Correos (TELCOR), the national authority overseeing telecommunications.
Phone Number Structure
General Format
Nicaraguan phone numbers consist of 8 digits, with prefixes indicating the service type, such as landline, mobile, or toll-free.
- Country Code: +505
- Subscriber Number: 8 digits
Landline Numbers
- Prefix: 2
- Format:
2XXXXXXX
- Example:
22123456
Mobile Numbers
- Prefixes: 5, 7, 8
- Format:
[5|7|8]XXXXXXX
- Example:
81234567
Toll-Free Numbers
- Prefix: 1800
- Format:
1800XXXX
- Example:
18001234
Premium Rate Numbers
- Prefix: 900
- Format:
900XXXX
- Example:
9001234
Validating Phone Numbers
To validate Nicaraguan phone numbers, use these regular expressions:
- Landline:
^2\d{7}$
- Mobile:
^[578]\d{7}$
- Toll-Free:
^1800\d{4}$
Dialing Procedures
Domestic Calls
- Landline to Landline: Dial the 8-digit number.
- Landline to Mobile: Dial the 8-digit mobile number.
- Mobile to Mobile: Dial the 8-digit mobile number.
International Calls
- Outgoing: Dial
00
followed by the country code and the subscriber number. For example, to call the US, dial00 1 XXX XXX XXXX
. - Incoming: Dial the international access code, then
+505
and the local number.
Telecom Operators
Major Providers
- Claro Nicaragua: Offers mobile and landline services, with mobile numbers starting with 8 or 7.
- Tigo Nicaragua: Provides services with mobile numbers beginning with 5 or 7.
Regulatory Authority
The Instituto Nicaragüense de Telecomunicaciones y Correos (TELCOR) manages Nicaragua's telecommunications, ensuring compliance with international standards and overseeing number allocation.
Special Number Formats
- Emergency Services: Dial 118 for emergencies.
- Premium Rate Services: Begin with 900 for services like hotlines.
Technical Tips for Developers
When handling Nicaraguan phone numbers in systems:
- Normalization: Convert numbers to E.164 format (
+505XXXXXXXX
). - Validation: Use the provided regex patterns.
- Formatting: Apply local formatting for user display.
- Error Handling: Provide clear messages for invalid entries.
- Internationalization: Ensure systems support both domestic and international contexts.
For the latest updates on telecommunications regulations in Nicaragua, visit the official TELCOR website.