Guinea-Bissau Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide

Build telecommunications solutions for Guinea-Bissau with confidence. This comprehensive guide covers Guinea-Bissau phone number formatting (country code +245), validation patterns, E.164 standards, and critical considerations for Guinea-Bissau's mobile-first telecommunications environment.

Guinea-Bissau Phone Number Format and Dialing System

Guinea-Bissau uses country code +245 for all international calls. The telecommunications landscape is primarily mobile-centric, with 8-digit phone numbers that follow specific formatting patterns. While a fixed-line infrastructure exists, it suffered significant damage during past conflicts and has not been fully restored. Mobile communication now dominates, with two primary operators – Orange (prefix 95) and MTN (prefixes 96, 97) – providing most services. Consider this mobile-first environment when you build telecommunications applications.

How to Dial Phone Numbers in Guinea-Bissau (Domestic Calls)

Call within Guinea-Bissau using an 8-digit phone number system. There are no area codes, which simplifies dialing across the country.

• Mobile Calls: Dial the full 8-digit mobile number. The first digit will be a "9," followed by a network identifier ("5," "6," or "7"), and then the remaining six digits.

  • Orange: 95XXXXXX
  • MTN: 96XXXXXX or 97XXXXXX

• Landline Calls: While less common, landlines generally follow the 44XXXXXX format. However, the deteriorated state of the fixed-line network makes them unreliable. Prioritize mobile functionality and consider landlines as a secondary communication method, if at all.

Best Practice: Store contacts using the full 8-digit format to ensure consistent dialing across networks.

International Dialing: Calling To and From Guinea-Bissau (+245)

• Calling from Guinea-Bissau:

  1. Dial the international exit code: 00
  2. Dial the country code of the destination.
  3. Dial the recipient's phone number.

  Example: To call the United Kingdom (country code 44), dial 00 44 XXXX XXXXXX.

• Calling to Guinea-Bissau:

  1. Dial the international access code (e.g., "+" or "011").
  2. Dial Guinea-Bissau's country code: 245.
  3. Dial the 8-digit local number.

  Example: +245 95XXXXXX

Emergency Services

Guinea-Bissau's emergency response system is still under development. Direct dialing for emergency services may not work reliably in all areas. According to regional telecommunications standards, emergency services typically use these numbers:

• Police: 117
• Medical Emergency/Ambulance: 119
• Fire Services: 118

Important: These numbers may not work in all regions, particularly outside Bissau. Network reliability for emergency calls varies.

Critical Recommendations:

• Pre-program essential contacts: Store direct numbers for local police stations, medical facilities (e.g., Hospital Nacional Simão Mendes: +245 320 1139), and your embassy's emergency line.
• Embassy contacts for emergencies:
  • US Embassy Bissau: +245 955 6013 (emergency line)
  • Portuguese Embassy: +245 320 5820
  • French Embassy: +245 320 1473
  • Check with your embassy for 24/7 emergency contact numbers before you travel
• Regional considerations: Response times and available services vary significantly outside major cities. Research and store regional emergency contacts if you operate outside Bissau.
• Backup communication: Network limitations may require alternative methods:
  • WhatsApp and Signal for data-based communication
  • Offline mapping (Maps.me, OsmAnd)
  • Satellite messengers for remote areas
• For developers: Build offline emergency contact storage, GPS coordinate sharing, and fallback SMS capabilities into your applications.

Guinea-Bissau Mobile Network Operators and Coverage Map

Operator Profiles

Acquisition and Pricing

SIM Card Purchase:

• Buy SIM cards at operator stores, kiosks, and authorized retailers
• Registration required (passport or national ID)
• Tourist SIM packages available at international airport
• Typical SIM cost: 1,000 – 2,500 XOF (~$1.50 – $4 USD)

Pricing Structure (Approximate, as of 2024):

• Voice calls: 50 – 100 XOF per minute (local)
• SMS: 25 – 50 XOF per message
• Data packages: 1 GB: 2,000 – 3,500 XOF; 5 GB: 8,000 – 12,000 XOF
• International calls: 200 – 500 XOF per minute (varies by destination)

Note: Prices vary by operator and promotional offers. Check operator websites for current rates.

Coverage Statistics

• Urban areas (Bissau, regional capitals): ~95% mobile coverage
• Rural areas: ~60% coverage
• Population with mobile access: ~78%
• 4G availability: Limited to Bissau and expanding

Source: ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database, regional operator reports (2023 – 2024)

Developer Considerations: Design your applications to handle variable network conditions and incorporate offline functionality where possible. Give users options to select preferred networks based on location.

Telecommunications Infrastructure and Network Technology

Guinea-Bissau is undergoing a digital transformation, with increasing adoption of mobile internet and digital financial services.

Network Technologies

Internet Performance

• Average mobile speeds: 2 – 8 Mbps download, 1 – 3 Mbps upload
• Fixed broadband: 5 – 15 Mbps where available
• Latency: 150 – 400ms typical
• Peak usage congestion: Expect slower speeds during evening hours (6 – 10 PM)

ACE Submarine Cable: The Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine cable landing in Guinea-Bissau will significantly improve internet speeds and affordability. As of 2024, capacity expansion is ongoing.

VoIP and Messaging

• VoIP Services: Major operators offer VoIP, but performance depends on internet stability
• Popular platforms: WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram function when data connectivity is available
• Developer guidance: Optimize your applications for low-bandwidth scenarios (< 100 kbps)_ implement adaptive bitrate for voice_ and provide fallback to SMS when data is unavailable

Phone Number Validation: Developer Implementation Guide

JavaScript Phone Number Validation for Guinea-Bissau

const patterns = {
  landline: /^44\d{6}$/_
  mobile: /^9[567]\d{6}$/_
  emergency: /^11[789]$/_
  specialServices: /^8[0-9]\d{5}$/ // Short codes and special services (80-89 prefixes)
};

function sanitizeInput(input) {
  // Remove common formatting characters
  return input.replace(/[\s\-\(\)\+]/g_ '');
}

function validateGuineaBissauNumber(input_ type = 'mobile') {
  if (!input || typeof input !== 'string') {
    return { valid: false_ error: 'Input must be a non-empty string' };
  }

  const sanitized = sanitizeInput(input);

  // Check if type is valid
  if (!patterns[type]) {
    return { valid: false_ error: `Invalid type: ${type}. Valid types: landline_ mobile_ emergency_ specialServices` };
  }

  const isValid = patterns[type].test(sanitized);

  return {
    valid: isValid_
    sanitized: sanitized_
    type: type_
    error: isValid ? null : `Invalid ${type} number format for Guinea-Bissau`
  };
}

// Usage examples
console.log(validateGuineaBissauNumber('95 123 456'));     // Valid mobile
console.log(validateGuineaBissauNumber('4412345'_ 'landline')); // Valid landline
console.log(validateGuineaBissauNumber('117'_ 'emergency'));    // Valid emergency

Special Services (80 – 89 prefix range): These prefixes are typically reserved for:

• Customer service hotlines (e.g._ 80XXXXX)
• Value-added services (premium SMS_ voting lines)
• Operator-specific short codes

Validate these separately if you implement billing or premium services.

E.164 Format Implementation for Guinea-Bissau Numbers

function toE164Format(localNumber_ countryCode = '245') {
  const sanitized = sanitizeInput(localNumber);

  // Validate it's an 8-digit local number
  if (!/^\d{8}$/.test(sanitized)) {
    throw new Error('Invalid local number: must be 8 digits');
  }

  return `+${countryCode}${sanitized}`;
}

function parseE164ToLocal(e164Number) {
  // Remove + and extract components
  const cleaned = e164Number.replace(/^\+/_ '');

  // Check if it starts with Guinea-Bissau country code
  if (!cleaned.startsWith('245')) {
    throw new Error('Not a Guinea-Bissau number');
  }

  const local = cleaned.substring(3);

  if (local.length !== 8) {
    throw new Error('Invalid local number length');
  }

  return {
    countryCode: '245'_
    localNumber: local_
    formatted: formatForDisplay(local)
  };
}

function formatForDisplay(localNumber_ style = 'spaced') {
  const sanitized = sanitizeInput(localNumber);

  switch(style) {
    case 'spaced':
      return sanitized.replace(/(\d{2})(\d{2})(\d{2})(\d{2})/_ '$1 $2 $3 $4');
    case 'dashed':
      return sanitized.replace(/(\d{2})(\d{2})(\d{2})(\d{2})/_ '$1-$2-$3-$4');
    case 'grouped':
      return sanitized.replace(/(\d{4})(\d{4})/_ '$1 $2');
    default:
      return sanitized;
  }
}

// Examples
console.log(toE164Format('95123456'));              // +24595123456
console.log(parseE164ToLocal('+24595123456'));      // {countryCode: '245'_ localNumber: '95123456'_ formatted: '95 12 34 56'}
console.log(formatForDisplay('95123456'_ 'spaced')); // 95 12 34 56

Coverage-Aware Development Patterns

// Offline-first architecture example
class TelecomService {
  constructor() {
    this.onlineStatus = navigator.onLine;
    this.pendingQueue = [];

    window.addEventListener('online'_ () => this.syncPendingOperations());
    window.addEventListener('offline', () => this.handleOffline());
  }

  async sendMessage(recipient, message) {
    const operation = {
      type: 'sms',
      recipient: recipient,
      message: message,
      timestamp: Date.now(),
      retries: 0
    };

    if (this.onlineStatus) {
      try {
        return await this.executeSend(operation);
      } catch (error) {
        this.queueForRetry(operation);
        return { status: 'queued', message: 'Will retry when connection improves' };
      }
    } else {
      this.queueForRetry(operation);
      return { status: 'offline', message: 'Queued for sending when online' };
    }
  }

  queueForRetry(operation) {
    this.pendingQueue.push(operation);
    localStorage.setItem('pendingMessages', JSON.stringify(this.pendingQueue));
  }

  async syncPendingOperations() {
    const pending = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem('pendingMessages') || '[]');

    for (const op of pending) {
      try {
        await this.executeSend(op);
        this.pendingQueue = this.pendingQueue.filter(item => item.timestamp !== op.timestamp);
      } catch (error) {
        op.retries++;
        if (op.retries > 5) {
          // Alert user after 5 retries
          this.notifyUserOfFailure(op);
        }
      }
    }

    localStorage.setItem('pendingMessages', JSON.stringify(this.pendingQueue));
  }
}

Regulatory Considerations

Primary Regulatory Bodies

• ARCOM (ARN – Autoridade Reguladora Nacional): The primary telecommunications regulator in Guinea-Bissau. Responsibilities include:

  • Number allocation and management
  • Technical standards enforcement
  • Service quality monitoring
  • Licensing telecommunications operators
  • Consumer protection

• WATRA (West African Telecommunications Regulators Authority): Regional oversight body coordinating cross-border communications and harmonizing technical standards across West Africa.

Compliance Requirements for Developers

Build telecommunications applications for Guinea-Bissau:

1. Number Portability: Guinea-Bissau is working toward implementing mobile number portability. Don't hard-code assumptions about which prefix belongs to which operator.

2. User Registration: SIM card registration is mandatory. When you handle user phone numbers:

   • Verify numbers through OTP/SMS verification
   • Store minimal personal data
   • Comply with regional data protection guidelines

3. Data Protection and Privacy:

   • Follow ECOWAS data protection frameworks
   • Implement end-to-end encryption for sensitive communications
   • Provide users with data access and deletion rights
   • Store data locally where possible to reduce cross-border data transfer concerns

4. Emergency Services Access: Don't block or interfere with emergency service calls (117, 118, 119).

5. Content and Spam Regulations:

   • Obtain explicit consent before you send promotional SMS
   • Provide opt-out mechanisms
   • Avoid automated high-volume messaging without operator approval

6. Licensing: Commercial VoIP services, SMS aggregation, and mobile money integrations may require licensing from ARCOM.

Developer Checklist:

• Validate phone numbers according to Guinea-Bissau formats (8-digit with specific prefixes)
• Implement offline functionality for areas with limited coverage
• Support E.164 international format (+245XXXXXXXX) for interoperability
• Include emergency contact storage features
• Ensure emergency numbers (117, 118, 119) are never blocked
• Implement user consent for promotional messaging
• Review our E.164 phone number format guide for international standards
• Consult ARCOM (https://www.arn.gw) for licensing requirements if you offer commercial telecom services

Future of Telecommunications in Guinea-Bissau

Planned Initiatives and Roadmap

Recommendations for Developers

• Stay informed: Monitor ARCOM announcements and operator news for infrastructure updates
• Design for transition: Assume network capabilities will improve but maintain backward compatibility with 2G/3G
• Leverage mobile money: Both Orange and MTN offer mobile payment APIs – consider integrating for in-app purchases
• Participate in digital economy: Government initiatives are creating opportunities for fintech, e-government, e-health, and education technology

Guinea-Bissau's telecommunications sector is evolving rapidly. Design for current constraints while planning for future capabilities to serve this growing market effectively.