Telephone numbers in Brazil

Telephone numbers in Brazil are regulated by Anatel, the Brazilian Agency of Telecommunications. The current model was implemented in 1998, following the country's telecommunications privatization. Brazilian telephone numbers are composed of a two-digit area code, followed by an eight or nine-digit local phone number.

Overview

The Brazilian telephone numbering plan uses a two-digit area code plus eight or nine-digit local numbers for landlines and mobile phones, respectively. The first digit of the area code indicates the general geographic region the number is located in. For example, numbers starting with 1 are in the Southeast region, including São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, while numbers starting with 6 are in the Central-West region.

Structure

Area Codes

Area codes in Brazil, known as DDD (Direct Dialing Distance), are two digits long and are required for making calls from one area to another. The allocation of these codes is geographically based. Major cities and their surrounding areas typically have their own unique area code. For instance, São Paulo has the area code 11, while Rio de Janeiro has the area code 21.

Local Numbers

Local numbers follow the area code. For landlines, these numbers are eight digits long. Mobile phone numbers received an additional ninth digit (initially a '9') in most areas to accommodate the growing number of users, starting with the area codes of São Paulo in 2012 and gradually implemented nationwide by the end of 2016.

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

For domestic long-distance calls, the carrier selection code (CSC) is dialed first, followed by the area code and the local phone number. The CSC is a one to two-digit code that selects the long-distance operator.

International Calls

To make an international call from Brazil, the dialing format is 00 + CSC + country code + area code + phone number. The CSC is again used to select the international carrier.

Local Calls

For local calls within the same area code, it is not necessary to dial the area code, only the local phone number. However, for mobile phones, the area code must always be dialed.

Mobile Phones

Mobile phone numbers in Brazil start with a nine followed by the eight-digit local number. This format was standardized to accommodate the increasing demand for mobile services.

Special Numbers

Brazil also has a range of special numbers, including:

• 190 - Police
• 192 - Ambulance
• 193 - Fire Department

These numbers can be dialed without any area code or carrier selection code and are free of charge.

Changes and Updates

The Brazilian telephone numbering plan has undergone several changes to accommodate the growing demand for new lines and services. The addition of the ninth digit for mobile numbers is one such example. Anatel periodically announces updates and changes to the system to ensure its efficiency and accessibility.