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, dial 00 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:

1. Normalization: Convert numbers to E.164 format (+505XXXXXXXX).
2. Validation: Use the provided regex patterns.
3. Formatting: Apply local formatting for user display.
4. Error Handling: Provide clear messages for invalid entries.
5. Internationalization: Ensure systems support both domestic and international contexts.