Area Code 2122 – Rio de Janeiro - RJ

Overview of Area Code 2122

Area code 2122 is a geographic prefix within the Brazilian national numbering plan, assigned to the city of Rio de Janeiro and its surrounding metropolitan region in the state of Rio de Janeiro (RJ). This code is part of the larger 21 area code, which serves the state's capital and nearby municipalities. The 2122 prefix specifically corresponds to central office codes within the 21 region, typically associated with landline (PSTN) services, though some numbers may be used by VoIP providers that register geographic numbers.

Geographic Coverage and Administration

The 2122 prefix is administered by the National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL) and allocated to local exchange carriers operating in Rio de Janeiro. It covers the central and southern zones of the city, including neighborhoods such as Copacabana, Ipanema, Botafogo, and the downtown business district. The area is densely populated and hosts a mix of residential, commercial, and government lines. As a geographic number, the prefix is tied to a specific physical location, which is important for emergency services and lawful interception.

Dialing Formats and Instructions

For local calls within the 21 area, callers must dial the eight-digit subscriber number preceded by the area code? For example, to call a number with prefix 2122, a local caller would dial 2122-XXXX (where XXXX is the four-digit subscriber line). However, in Brazil, local calls within the same area code typically require dialing the area code plus the eight-digit number, even for landline-to-landline calls. Thus, a local call would be: 21 2122-XXXX.

For national long-distance calls from other Brazilian states, callers must dial the operator selection code (e.g., 0 + operator code) followed by the area code and number: 0 XX 21 2122-XXXX. For international callers, the format is +55 21 2122-XXXX. The plus sign represents the international access prefix, which varies by country (e.g., 00 from many countries).

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

Currently, there is no overlay code for the 21 area; the area code 21 is the sole geographic code for Rio de Janeiro city. However, due to increasing demand, ANATEL has implemented number pooling and reassignment measures. The 2122 prefix is not portable to mobile networks; mobile numbers in Brazil always begin with 9 (for personal lines) or 8 (for corporate lines) and are non-geographic. Landline numbers, including those with 2122, can be ported to other fixed-line providers within the same area code, but they cannot be moved to a different geographic region.

Caller Instructions

For local callers: dial 21 + 2122-XXXX. For national callers: dial 0 + operator code + 21 + 2122-XXXX. For international callers: dial your country's exit code + 55 + 21 + 2122-XXXX. Always verify the number length: the complete national significant number is 10 digits (area code + 8-digit subscriber number).