Area Code 248 – Bie

Overview of Area Code 248 (Bié, Angola)

Area code 248 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the province of Bié, in the central highlands of Angola. It is used for fixed-line (PSTN) services within the province, covering the provincial capital Cuíto (formerly Silva Porto) and other municipalities such as Andulo, Camacupa, Catabola, Chinguar, Chitembo, Cuemba, Cunhinga, and Nharea. The code is part of Angola's national numbering plan, which follows ITU-T E.164 recommendations.

Dialing Formats

When calling a fixed-line number in Bié from within Angola, you must include the trunk prefix 0 followed by the area code and the subscriber number. The national significant number (NSN) is typically 9 digits long, comprising the area code (248) plus a 6-digit subscriber number. For example, a local number might be formatted as:

• National format: 0 248 XXX XXX
• International format: +244 248 XXX XXX

To call from a mobile phone within Angola, the same national format is used. To call from abroad, replace the leading 0 with the country code +244 and omit the trunk prefix.

Caller Instructions

For local callers (within Bié): In most cases, you can dial the 6-digit subscriber number directly without the area code, depending on your operator's local dialing rules. However, for clarity and to avoid misdialing, it is recommended to always use the full national format, especially when calling from a mobile phone.

For callers from other Angolan provinces: Dial 0 followed by 248 and then the subscriber number. For example: 0 248 123 456.

For international callers: Dial your country's international access prefix (e.g., 00 from most countries, or +), then Angola's country code 244, then the area code 248 (without the leading 0), and the subscriber number. For example: +244 248 123 456.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

Angola has not implemented overlay codes for geographic areas; each province retains its own NDC. The number of fixed lines in Bié is limited compared to major cities like Luanda, and the subscriber number length is uniform at 6 digits. As Angola's telecommunications sector evolves, there may be future changes to numbering, but as of now, 248 remains exclusively assigned to Bié province.

For businesses, having a local Bié number can enhance local presence and customer trust. When listing your number on websites or marketing materials, always use the international format to ensure reachability from abroad.