Area code 246

The area code +1 246 is a composite part of the telephone numbering plan for Barbados, also known as the National Numbering Plan.^[1] It is part of a system used for assigning telephone numbers in Barbados, and functions as a part of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP). It is regulated by the government's Telecommunications Unit, which holds responsibility for telecommunications.^[2]

Due to a long established affiliation with NANP, phone numbers in Barbados are often styled as "(246) NXX-xxxx". However, this can cause confusion with Diego Garcia which is country code +246 under the International Telecommunications Union standard E.164.^[3] As such, other international standards like E.123 strongly advocate the inclusion of a "+1" prefix to indicate "246" is a part of the NANP.^[4]

History

The 246 area code was created during a split from the original +1 809 area code, which was done on or around the date July 1996.^[5][6] By 15 January 1997 all calls placed to Barbados required the use of the prefix +1 246 prefix.^[5]

Dialing to Barbados

• From within North America (NANP)

When calling Barbados from elsewhere in the North American Numbering Plan (e.g. from the United States or Canada), callers dial as if undertaking regular ten-digit dialing within those countries. Callers must simply dial 1 + 246 + seven digit phone number.

• From outside NANP

When calling to Barbados from outside the NANP (e.g. from the United Kingdom), callers must dial their international dialling prefix followed by 1 to access the North American Numbering Plan. For example, a call placed from the United Kingdom would be dialled as 00 + 1 + 246 + local seven digit phone number. Failure to include the number "1", would result in accessing country calling code +246 of British Indian Ocean Territory (Diego Garcia).^[7]

Dialing within Barbados

When placing a phone call from Barbados, also known as HPNA, callers simply use seven-digit dialling (i.e. dialling the last seven digits of the phone number). Unlike in some other Caribbean islands, most residential landline subscribers have unlimited/un-metered rates for calling other local landlines.

• To North America (NANP)

When calling to other places in the North American Numbering Plan, calls are dialed as if undertaking regular ten-digit dialing in those countries. Callers must simply dial 1 + NPA (area code) + seven digit phone number.

Though usually toll-free when dialled from the US, not all 1-800, 1-888, 1-877, or 1-866 are toll-free when being dialled from Barbados, and may be treated as a toll call. If the number is not toll-free a recording will give directions of how to place a fee based call.

• To areas outside the NANP

When calling to areas outside the NANP (e.g. the United Kingdom), callers dial 011 + country calling code + phone number. In the case of the UK, a user would dial 011 + 44 + area code + UK phone number.

General

Police Force: 211, Ambulance: 511, Fire: 311

Information/Directory Assistance: 411

Operator: 0

Central Office Codes

In the NANP telephone format of +1-NPA-NXX-xxxx, the central office codes fall in the position of NXX. In 1996 the following central office numbering plan was put in place by the incumbent local exchange carrier.^[5][8]

Mobile operators

Following liberalisation of the telecommunications industry in Barbados, various central office codes were implemented for local mobile carriers. The following COs were outlined in 2004 by the Minister of Energy and Public Utilities.^[9] In most cases Barbados numbers beginning with the following central office codes do not permit incoming collect calls.

VoIP providers

310 - 359^[10]

Geographic

Other landline central office codes which have been activated include the following:

227, 228, 229, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 292, 367, 410, 412, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 438, 439, 736, 737, 753, 757, 958, 976

See also

• List of NANP area codes
• Area codes in the Caribbean

References

External links

• The Barbados Telecommunications Unit - In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade & International Business
• North American Numbering Plan Administrator
• List of exchanges from AreaCodeDownload.com, 246 Area Code