Frequently Asked Questions
Guadeloupe phone numbers follow the international format +590 XXX XX XX XX and the national format 0XXX XX XX XX. It's recommended to store numbers in the international format for better compatibility with global systems and to avoid ambiguity when dialing internationally. For example, a mobile number might be +590 690 12 34 56.
To call Guadeloupe from another country, dial the international prefix (00 or +), followed by 590 (Guadeloupe's country code), and then the local number without the leading '0'. Ensure you drop the initial zero from the national format when dialing internationally.
You can use a regular expression like /^\+590(590|690|800|89\d)\d{6}$/
to validate Guadeloupe numbers. This regex ensures the number starts with +590, followed by a valid prefix (590, 690, 800, or 89X), and then six more digits. Remember to remove any whitespace before validation.
Guadeloupe uses the country code +590. Within Guadeloupe, specific prefixes like 590 for landlines, 690 for mobile, 800 for toll-free, and 89X for premium rate numbers designate the type of service. These are not area codes in the traditional sense but serve a similar purpose.
Storing phone numbers in the international format (+590) ensures compatibility with international systems, simplifies integration, and reduces dialing errors. This format is essential for applications and systems handling calls from or to various countries.
Guadeloupe follows French regulations for number portability, allowing users to switch carriers while keeping their number. The process is designed to be seamless with a maximum timeframe of 10 business days, applies to both mobile and landline numbers, and uses real-time systems for validation.
Guadeloupe boasts modern infrastructure, with 95% 4G LTE coverage and growing 5G deployment in cities. Fixed-line infrastructure is also prevalent, primarily in urban areas, offering high-speed connectivity.
You can integrate with network status check APIs by sending location data (latitude and longitude) to your provider's endpoint. This allows your application to adapt based on real-time network availability and enhance user experience.
Store numbers in E.164 format (+590 XXX XX XX XX) and use a dedicated type field to categorize numbers (landline, mobile, etc.). Tracking porting status and adding indexes for efficient queries further improves database performance and manageability.
Thorough testing is crucial; implement unit tests to validate number formatting, validation logic, and integration with external APIs. End-to-end tests should cover the entire number lifecycle, including input, storage, and retrieval, ensuring data integrity.
Common Guadeloupe number types include landlines (+590 590 XX XX XX), mobile (+590 690 XX XX XX), toll-free (+590 800 XX XX XX), and premium rate (+590 89X XX XX XX) numbers. These prefixes help identify the service associated with each number.
ARCEP (Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et des Postes), the French regulatory authority, oversees Guadeloupe's telecommunications system. This ensures adherence to French regulations adapted for the Caribbean context.
Several operators, including Orange, Digicel, Free Caraïbe, and Outremer Telecom, compete in Guadeloupe's telecommunications market, driving innovation and offering various services. This competition benefits consumers through choice and potentially better pricing.
Guadeloupe Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide
This comprehensive guide covers everything developers and system administrators need to know about Guadeloupe's phone number system. Learn how to format, validate, and store Guadeloupe phone numbers with country code +590, implement number portability checks, handle international dialing, and integrate telecom APIs for production applications.
Background
Guadeloupe, a French overseas territory, operates a telecommunications system under ARCEP (Autorité de Régulation des Communications électroniques et des Postes), France's telecom regulatory authority. The system follows French regulations with Caribbean-specific adaptations. The infrastructure has modernized significantly, especially in mobile networks, with expanding 4G LTE and 5G coverage. Four main operators – Orange, Digicel, Free Caraïbe, and Outremer Telecom – compete in the market. Number portability lets users switch carriers while keeping their numbers.
Operator Comparison
Guadeloupe Phone Number Formats
Understand Guadeloupe's phone number structure for proper handling and validation in your applications.
Structure Breakdown
Numbers follow a predictable pattern:
+590 XXX XX XX XX
(Example: +590 690 12 34 56)0XXX XX XX XX
(Example: 0690 12 34 56)Best Practice: Store phone numbers in E.164 international format (+590) for maximum compatibility and to avoid ambiguity. This simplifies integration with international systems and reduces dialing errors.
Number Types
+590 590 XX XX XX
+590 690 XX XX XX
+590 800 XX XX XX
+590 89X XX XX XX
How to Dial Guadeloupe Phone Numbers
Domestic Calls
Dial within Guadeloupe using this pattern:
0
(national prefix)Examples:
0690 12 34 56
0590 27 12 34
0590 27 12 34
Guadeloupe uses nationwide numbering – no area codes within the territory.
International Calls
00
+ country code + number+590
+ local number (omit the leading0
)Key Point: Always omit the leading
0
when you dial a Guadeloupe number from outside the country.Common Dialing Errors
0
prefix+590 690…
not+590 0690…
+590
00
domestically0
prefix for domestic calls onlyPhone Number Validation
Implement robust phone number validation to ensure data integrity. Use regular expressions to validate Guadeloupe number formats:
This regex validates all standard number formats and handles common input variations (spaces, dashes, parentheses).
Error Handling
Provide clear, actionable feedback for invalid numbers:
Number Portability
Guadeloupe follows French regulations for number portability. The process completes within 10 business days maximum. Key features:
Porting Process
From a user perspective:
Requirements:
Costs: Free for users – new carrier may charge activation fees, but porting itself has no regulatory fees.
Developer Integration
Integrate with portability check APIs to verify number eligibility and status:
Implementation Note: Replace
/api/v1/portability/check
andAPI_TOKEN
with your specific API endpoint and authentication token.API Response Format
Success (200):
Ineligible (200):
Error (400/401/429/500):
Rate Limits: 100 requests per minute per API key.
Network Coverage and Infrastructure
Guadeloupe has modern telecommunications infrastructure with widespread 4G LTE coverage reaching approximately 95% of the population (ARCEP data, Q3 2024). 5G deployment is expanding in major cities. Fixed-line infrastructure in urban areas provides high-speed connectivity.
Coverage Details
Known Coverage Limitations:
Network Monitoring
Integrate network status checks to enhance user experience:
Implementation Note: Replace
API_ENDPOINT
andAPI_KEY
with your provider's details. Orange and Digicel offer network status APIs for enterprise customers. Contact your carrier's business division for API access and documentation.Database Schema for Phone Numbers
Design your database schema to efficiently store and manage Guadeloupe phone number data:
This schema enforces E.164 format, categorizes number types, and tracks porting status.
Index Recommendations
Data Privacy and Compliance
As a French territory, Guadeloupe falls under GDPR. Follow these requirements:
Data Collection:
Data Retention:
Security Measures:
User Rights:
NoSQL Alternative (MongoDB)
Testing and Quality Assurance
Test thoroughly to ensure reliability. Implement unit tests for number formatting, validation, and API integrations. Cover the entire lifecycle from input to storage and retrieval.
This example demonstrates basic validation. Expand your test suite to cover edge cases:
Integration Tests
Performance Testing
Test validation performance with large datasets:
Frequently Asked Questions About Guadeloupe Phone Numbers
Q: Can I use a Guadeloupe number for SMS verification? Yes. All mobile numbers (690 prefix) support SMS. Ensure your SMS provider supports French Caribbean destinations. For more details on SMS implementation, see our SMS API integration guide.
Q: Do Guadeloupe numbers work with WhatsApp and Signal? Yes. Use the full international format (+590 690…) when registering.
Q: What happens to my number if I move from Guadeloupe? You can keep your number if you maintain an active account. Some carriers offer international roaming or virtual presence options.
Q: Are there number reservation services? Yes. Contact carriers directly for vanity numbers or specific number patterns. Fees vary by carrier and number desirability.
Q: How do I handle numbers from Saint Barthélemy and Saint Martin? Both territories use different country codes: +590 for Saint Martin (shared with Guadeloupe) and +590 for Saint Barthélemy. The numbering system is shared with Guadeloupe.
Troubleshooting
Issue: Number validation fails in production but works locally
Cause: Different regex engines or character encoding issues Solution: Use a consistent validation library across environments and normalize input to remove hidden characters
Issue: API calls return 401 Unauthorized
Cause: Expired or invalid API token Solution: Implement token refresh logic and verify token permissions
Issue: Database queries are slow
Cause: Missing indexes on frequently queried columns Solution: Add indexes on
number
,carrier_id
, andcreated_at
columnsIssue: Users report they can't port their number
Cause: Outstanding balance, recent port, or incorrect RIO code Solution: Verify account status with current carrier and obtain valid RIO code
Additional Resources