phone number standards
phone number standards
Haiti Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide
Complete technical guide to Haiti's telephone numbering system, including the +509 country code, number formats, validation rules, and dialing procedures.
Haiti Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide
This comprehensive guide covers Haiti's telephone numbering system, including the +509 country code, number formats, validation rules, and dialing procedures. Whether you're a developer implementing phone validation, a telecommunications professional, or a system administrator, you'll find complete technical documentation for Haiti's 7-digit numbering plan, emergency services, regulatory compliance, and infrastructure considerations.
Quick Reference
- Country: Haiti
- Country Code: +509 (Haiti country calling code)
- International Prefix: 00
- National Prefix: None (direct 7-digit dialing)
- Timezone: UTC-4 (AST – Atlantic Standard Time, year-round, no DST)
- Regulatory Bodies:
- Autorité de Régulation des Communications (ARC) (https://www.arc.ht)
- Comité National des Télécommunications (CONATEL) (http://www.conatel.gouv.ht)
Common Format Examples:
- International: +509 3434 1234
- E.164 (storage): +5093434155
- Local display: 3434155
Haiti Telecommunications Infrastructure Overview
Haiti's telecommunications infrastructure serves over 11.4 million people across challenging terrain and diverse urban-rural environments. Despite significant obstacles, the system maintains resilience:
- Natural Disasters: Haiti's vulnerability to hurricanes and earthquakes requires robust disaster-resistant infrastructure. Redundant network pathways and backup power systems are critical. The 2010 earthquake and Hurricane Matthew in 2016 tested the network severely, demonstrating the need for ongoing improvements.
- Urban-Rural Divide: Reliable coverage across densely populated urban areas and remote rural regions remains challenging. Limited traditional power grids force telecom companies to invest in independent energy solutions, relying on solar power and generators.
- Mobile Penetration: Mobile services are the primary communication method for most Haitians, with penetration exceeding 60%. This reliance demands robust mobile network infrastructure. However, outdated infrastructure and capacity limitations – particularly for Natcom (over 13 years without major upgrades) – cause service disruptions and delays.
- Digital Transformation: Ongoing modernization efforts aim to improve connectivity and expand digital services access. However, limited investment in infrastructure upgrades, equipment supply difficulties, and security concerns create significant obstacles.
Haiti Phone Number Structure & Format
Haiti uses a closed numbering plan – all telephone numbers must be dialed in full with no area codes or variable-length local numbers. Every call requires the complete 7-digit subscriber number, whether you're calling within the same city or to a different region. This simplifies validation and routing logic: all valid Haitian numbers follow the same fixed-length pattern.
Number Format
[Country Code] + [Subscriber Number]
+509 + [7 digits]
- Total Length: 10 digits (including country code)
- Examples:
- International format: +509 3434 155
- E.164 canonical: +5093434155
- With dashes: +509-343-4155
- Local display: 3434155
E.164 Storage Best Practice: Store phone numbers in E.164 format (+[country code][subscriber number], e.g., +5093434155) in your databases. This international standard ensures global uniqueness, simplifies validation, and supports international operations without format ambiguity. Learn more about implementing Haiti phone number validation.
Phone Number Types: Mobile, Landline & Toll-Free
| Number Type | Format Pattern | Example | Usage Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landline | 2[2-9]XXXXXX | +509 2248925 | Primarily urban areas; fixed-line services are less common than mobile. |
| Mobile | [34]XXXXXX | +509 3434155 | Widely used nationwide; 3X and 4X ranges vary by operator. |
| Toll-Free | 8XXXXXX | +509 8001234 | Business and customer service lines. |
Regex Validation (JavaScript):
const validateHaitianNumber = (number, type) => {
const cleanNumber = number.replace(/\D/g, ''); // Remove non-digit characters
let clean = cleanNumber;
if (clean.startsWith('509')) {
clean = clean.slice(3); // Remove country code if present
}
if (!clean || clean.length !== 7) {
return { valid: false, error: 'Invalid number length. Expected 7 digits.' };
}
const patterns = {
landline: /^2[2-9]\d{5}$/,
mobile: /^[34]\d{6}$/,
tollFree: /^8\d{6}$/
};
if (type && patterns[type]) {
return patterns[type].test(clean)
? { valid: true, type, number: clean }
: { valid: false, error: `Number does not match ${type} pattern` };
}
// Auto-detect type
for (const [numberType, pattern] of Object.entries(patterns)) {
if (pattern.test(clean)) {
return { valid: true, type: numberType, number: clean };
}
}
return { valid: false, error: 'Number does not match any known pattern' };
};
// Example usage:
console.log(validateHaitianNumber('+509 3434 155', 'mobile'));
// { valid: true, type: 'mobile', number: '3434155' }
console.log(validateHaitianNumber('2248925'));
// { valid: true, type: 'landline', number: '2248925' }
console.log(validateHaitianNumber('invalid'));
// { valid: false, error: 'Invalid number length. Expected 7 digits.' }How to Dial Haiti Phone Numbers
Domestic Calls
Domestic calls within Haiti use direct 7-digit dialing. All calls require the full subscriber number.
Examples:
- Mobile to Mobile: Dial
3434155 - Landline to Mobile: Dial
3434155 - Mobile to Landline: Dial
2248925
International Dialing to and from Haiti
- Outbound (from Haiti):
00 + [Country Code] + [Number] - Inbound (to Haiti):
+509 + [Local Number]
Examples:
- Call USA from Haiti: 00 1 555 123 4567
- Call Canada from Haiti: 00 1 514 123 4567
- Call Dominican Republic from Haiti: 00 1 809 123 4567
- Call Haiti from abroad: +509 3434155
Haiti Mobile Network Providers & Operations
Major Telecom Providers in Haiti
Major service providers include:
- Digicel Haiti – Mobile operator
- Natcom (Teleco) – State-owned mobile and landline operator
- Access Haiti – Internet and telecommunications
- Hainet – Internet service provider
- Starlink – Satellite internet
CONATEL allocates number ranges. Service quality and reliability remain significant concerns, with frequent outages and disruptions reported for Digicel and Natcom. Customer dissatisfaction is high due to expensive internet plans and inconsistent connectivity.
Implementing Haiti Phone Number Validation
- Number Validation: Implement robust validation using the provided regex patterns, including country code handling and international format conversion.
- Error Handling: Develop comprehensive error handling for invalid number formats, service provider range verification, and international prefix validation. Consider fallback mechanisms for network instability given Haiti's telecommunications infrastructure challenges.
- System Integration: Ensure E.164 format compatibility, implement local number parsing, and handle mobile/landline routing logic.
Implementation Best Practices:
// Convert any format to E.164 for storage
function toE164(number) {
let clean = number.replace(/\D/g, '');
if (clean.startsWith('509')) clean = clean.slice(3);
if (clean.length === 7) return `+509${clean}`;
return null; // Invalid
}
// Format for display
function formatForDisplay(e164Number) {
const match = e164Number.match(/^\+509(\d{3})(\d{4})$/);
return match ? `${match[1]} ${match[2]}` : e164Number;
}Haiti Emergency Phone Numbers (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
- Police: 114
- Fire: 115
- Ambulance: 116
Important Notes:
- Emergency numbers are 3-digit short codes that work from mobile and landline phones.
- No country code is required when calling from within Haiti.
- Availability and response times vary by location, with better coverage in Port-au-Prince and urban areas.
Emergency Number Check (JavaScript):
const EMERGENCY_NUMBERS = ['114', '115', '116'];
function isEmergencyNumber(number) {
const clean = number.replace(/\D/g, '');
return EMERGENCY_NUMBERS.includes(clean);
}
// Example:
console.log(isEmergencyNumber('114')); // true
console.log(isEmergencyNumber('1-1-4')); // true (handles formatting)Haiti Telecom Regulations & CONATEL Compliance
CONATEL (Comité National des Télécommunications) oversees number allocation, operator licensing, technical standards, and infrastructure development. The ARC (Autorité de Régulation des Communications) handles regulatory enforcement. However, enforcement faces challenges, evidenced by unresolved disputes between operators.
Key Compliance Areas:
- Number Allocation: Obtain all number assignments through CONATEL
- Emergency Services: Support routing to 114, 115, and 116 in your telecom systems
- Call Quality: Meet minimum service quality standards (enforcement varies)
How to Acquire Haiti Phone Numbers for Business
Haiti uses a straightforward number allocation process managed by CONATEL. All numbers follow the standard 7-digit format, differentiated by service type. No tiered pricing structure exists for special number sequences.
Number Acquisition:
- Businesses obtain numbers through licensed service providers
- Providers allocate numbers from their assigned ranges
- Contact providers directly for bulk number acquisition or specific number requests
Future Changes to Haiti's Phone System
While the numbering plan is currently stable, anticipate potential changes:
- Number Portability: Number portability implementation could impact routing and validation procedures. Status as of 2025: no active implementation announced.
- Expanded Mobile Ranges: Increased mobile penetration may require new number ranges (potentially 5X or 6X prefixes).
- Enhanced Emergency Services: Advanced emergency response system integration could require updates to existing implementations.
Staying Updated: Consult CONATEL's official documentation (http://www.conatel.gouv.ht) for the latest regulations and updates. Be aware of ongoing challenges with infrastructure resilience, security, and service reliability – these factors significantly impact telecommunications operations in Haiti.
Last updated: December 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the country code for Haiti?
The country code for Haiti is +509. This code is required when dialing Haitian numbers from international locations. Remember to include the plus sign (+) before the country code.
How to dial a Haitian phone number from overseas?
To call Haiti from another country, dial 00 (the international prefix), followed by 509 (Haiti's country code), and then the 7-digit local number. For example, 00 + 509 + 3434155.
How to validate a Haitian phone number?
Haitian numbers follow specific patterns: landlines are 2[2-9]XXXXXX, mobiles are [34]XXXXXX, and toll-free numbers are 8XXXXXX. You can use regular expressions (regex) as shown in the article for validation in your applications. Remember to remove non-digit characters before validation.
What is the phone number format in Haiti?
Haitian phone numbers consist of 7 digits after the country code +509, totaling 10 digits for international calls. Domestic calls within Haiti require only the 7-digit subscriber number.
Why does Haiti's telecommunications infrastructure face challenges?
Haiti's telecom infrastructure faces challenges due to natural disasters, the urban-rural divide, and limited system capacity, particularly for Natcom. The 2010 earthquake and Hurricane Matthew in 2016 severely impacted the network, highlighting the need for robust infrastructure.
What are the main telecommunications providers in Haiti?
Major service providers in Haiti include Natcom, Digicel, Access Haiti, Hainet, and Starlink. Number ranges are allocated by CONATEL, the national regulatory body.
How to format Haitian numbers for system integration?
Use the E.164 format (+509 followed by the 7-digit number) for compatibility with international systems. Implement local number parsing to handle calls originating within Haiti. Remember to include routing logic for mobile versus landline numbers.
When should I expect number portability in Haiti?
While not yet implemented, number portability is a potential future development. Monitor CONATEL's official website for updates, as this could impact routing and validation processes.
What are the emergency numbers in Haiti?
The emergency numbers in Haiti are: Police - 114, Fire - 115, and Ambulance - 116. These numbers are short and easy to remember during emergencies.
How does the urban-rural divide affect Haiti's telecommunications?
The urban-rural divide poses challenges for ensuring reliable coverage across both densely populated urban areas and remote rural regions. The limited reach of traditional power grids requires companies to invest in independent power solutions, often solar or generators.
Can I use the provided regex for validating Haitian phone numbers in any programming language?
While the provided example is in JavaScript, the regex principles can be adapted to other programming languages. Ensure you understand the specific regex implementation in your chosen language and adjust the code accordingly.
Where can I find the latest updates on Haitian telecommunications regulations?
Consult the official website of CONATEL ([http://www.conatel.gouv.ht](http://www.conatel.gouv.ht)) for the latest regulations and updates on Haiti's telecommunications sector. Also, monitor news and reports regarding infrastructure development and challenges.
What is the role of CONATEL in Haiti's telecommunications?
CONATEL (Conseil National des Télécommunications) is the regulatory body in Haiti overseeing number allocation, operator licensing, technical standards, and infrastructure development. Though facing challenges, they are the primary authority.