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Sent TeamMay 3, 2025 / phone number standards / Article

Central African Republic Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide

CAR phone number guide: formats, area codes, & validation. Understand +236 numbering: landline (21XXXXXX), mobile (7[024-7]XXXXXX), & premium (8776XXXX). Includes regex for validation.

Central African Republic Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide

Quick Reference

  • Country: Central African Republic
  • Country Code: +236
  • International Prefix: 00
  • National Prefix: None

Overview

Discover the comprehensive telephone numbering plan of the Central African Republic (CAR). This guide provides in-depth insights into the phone number structure, dialing procedures, and essential information for telecom professionals, developers, and system administrators. Based on the latest ITU standards, this guide ensures accuracy and technical relevance.

Number Structure

Phone numbers in the Central African Republic adhere to a standardized format. Below is a detailed breakdown:

TypeFormatDescriptionExample
General Numbers`[27]X{3}8776X{4}`General numbers include both landline and mobile numbers. The format varies slightly based on the type.
Landline Numbers2[12]X{6}Landline numbers start with '2', followed by the area code and a 6-digit subscriber number.2121226
Mobile Numbers7[024-7]X{6}Mobile numbers start with '7', followed by a digit between 0 and 7, and a 6-digit subscriber number.77024796
Premium Rate Numbers8776X{4}Premium rate numbers start with '8776' and are followed by a 4-digit subscriber number.877644

Regular Expressions

For developers and system administrators, use the following regular expressions to validate phone numbers in the Central African Republic:

regex
General Numbers: ^(27\d{3}|8776\d{4})$
Landline Numbers: ^2[12]\d{6}$
Mobile Numbers: ^7[024-7]\d{6}$
Premium Rate Numbers: ^8776\d{4}$

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

  • Landline to Landline: Dial the full 8-digit number directly.
  • Landline to Mobile: Dial the full 8-digit mobile number directly.
  • Mobile to Mobile: Dial the full 8-digit mobile number directly.

International Calls

  • Outgoing International Calls: Dial 00 followed by the country code and the destination number.
  • Incoming International Calls: Dial +236 followed by the 8-digit local number.

Number Portability

Currently, there is no publicly available information on mobile number portability in the Central African Republic. Users may not be able to retain their phone numbers when switching between different telecom operators.

Major Telecom Operators

The Central African Republic hosts several telecom operators, each managing its own number ranges. Specific number ranges for these operators are not publicly disclosed. Major operators include:

  • Orange Central African Republic
  • Telecel Central African Republic
  • Azur Central African Republic

ITU Standards

The Central African Republic complies with ITU-T standards for telecommunication numbering plans, including:

Number Allocation and Management

The national telecommunications regulatory authority oversees the allocation and management of telephone numbers in the Central African Republic, ensuring efficient use of numbering resources and compliance with international standards.

Technical Restrictions and Special Cases

  • Golden Numbers: No publicly available information on the allocation of "golden numbers" (e.g., numbers with repeating digits) in the Central African Republic.
  • Number Blocking: No specific information is available on number blocking practices in the country.

Technical Considerations

For developers and systems dealing with phone numbers in the Central African Republic, consider the following:

  1. Validation: Use the regular expressions provided above to validate phone numbers.
  2. Formatting: Ensure phone numbers are formatted according to the ITU-T E.164 standard for international compatibility.
  3. Dialing Logic: Implement logic to handle both domestic and international dialing procedures correctly.
  4. Portability: Be aware that number portability may not be available, impacting user experience when switching carriers.
<Callout type="info"> For the most up-to-date information on telecommunications regulations in the Central African Republic, please consult the [official website of the national telecommunications authority](https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Pages/stat/default.aspx). </Callout>

Frequently Asked Questions

How to dial a Central African Republic landline?

Dial +236 followed by the 8-digit landline number. Landline numbers begin with '2', followed by the area code and a 6-digit subscriber number. For domestic calls within the CAR, dial the 8-digit number directly.

What is the format for mobile numbers in CAR?

Mobile numbers in the Central African Republic are 8 digits long and start with '7'. The format is 7[024-7]X{6}, where X represents any digit. So, a mobile number might look like 77024796.

How do I call internationally from the Central African Republic?

To make an international call from the CAR, dial the international prefix '00', followed by the country code of the destination, and then the destination number. For example, to call the US, you would dial 00 1 [destination number].

What is the country code for Central African Republic?

The country code for the Central African Republic is +236. This code is used when making international calls to the CAR. Always include the '+' sign before the country code for proper dialing.

How to validate a CAR phone number using regex?

The article provides regular expressions for validating CAR phone numbers. For general numbers, use ^(27\d{3}|8776\d{4})$; for landlines, use ^2[12]\d{6}$; for mobile, use ^7[024-7]\d{6}$; and for premium rate numbers, use ^8776\d{4}$.

What is the Central African Republic phone number structure?

CAR phone numbers generally follow an 8-digit structure, differentiated by the starting digits. Landlines start with '2', mobiles with '7', and premium rate numbers with '8776'. Specific formats are available for each type in the detailed guide.

Why does the CAR use the +236 country code?

+236 is the internationally assigned country code for the Central African Republic. It's part of the global numbering plan defined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to ensure unique identification of countries in international calls.

When should I use the international prefix 00 in CAR?

Use the international prefix '00' when making outgoing international calls from the Central African Republic. It signals that the following digits represent a country code and international number.

Can I port my mobile number in the Central African Republic?

Information regarding mobile number portability in the Central African Republic is not publicly available. The article indicates it may not be possible to keep your number when switching operators.

What are the major telecom operators in CAR?

Major telecom operators in the Central African Republic include Orange CAR, Telecel CAR, and Azur CAR. However, their specific number ranges are not publicly disclosed.

How to format CAR phone numbers for international use?

Format CAR phone numbers according to ITU-T E.164 for international compatibility. This involves using the '+' sign, followed by the country code (+236), and then the 8-digit local number.

What is the national prefix for CAR?

The Central African Republic doesn't use a national prefix when dialing domestic numbers. You simply dial the 8-digit phone number directly.