Area Code 255 – Vila do Maio, Maio

Geographic Overview and Jurisdiction

The +238 255 prefix is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the fixed-line telephone network serving Vila do Maio, the principal town and administrative capital of the island of Maio, one of the ten islands of the Republic of Cape Verde. This code falls under the jurisdiction of the Agência Nacional de Comunicações (ANACOM), the national regulatory authority for electronic communications. The numbering area encompasses the urban center of Vila do Maio (also known as Porto Inglês) and its surrounding settlements, including the airport zone and the coastal areas of the island. As a geographic allocation, the prefix is tied to the physical location of the subscriber's line, and calls are routed via the PSTN infrastructure of the incumbent operator, Cabo Verde Telecom (CVMóvel).

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

To call a number in Vila do Maio from abroad, you must dial the international access prefix of your country (e.g., 00 or +), followed by the Cape Verde country code +238, then the NDC 255, and finally the subscriber's 4-digit local number. The complete international format is +238 255 XXXX (10 digits in total, including the country code). For example, a local number might be dialed as +238 255 1234.

For domestic calls within Cape Verde, the trunk prefix '0' is not used; callers must dial the NDC and the subscriber number directly, i.e., 255 XXXX. This applies to calls from any other island or from a mobile phone. If you are physically within the Vila do Maio area and calling another local fixed-line number, you may still need to include the NDC, as there are no separate local dialing codes; the full national number is always required.

Overlay and Numbering Plan Considerations

Cape Verde operates a closed numbering plan with a fixed length of 7 digits for all subscriber numbers (excluding the country code). The NDC '255' is unique to the Maio island geographic area and is not overlaid with other codes. However, due to the small population and limited fixed-line penetration, some numbers may be reassigned or ported to VoIP services, but the geographic identity remains. Mobile numbers in Cape Verde start with '5', '9', or '6' and are non-geographic; therefore, a number beginning with '255' is exclusively a fixed-line service.

Practical Information for Callers

When calling from a foreign country, be mindful of time zones: Cape Verde is on UTC-1 (CVT) and does not observe daylight saving time. For international callers, it is advisable to check with your telecom provider for applicable international rates. For businesses or individuals in Vila do Maio, the fixed-line service offers reliable voice and ADSL internet connectivity, though mobile services are more prevalent. If you encounter difficulties reaching a number, verify that you have the correct NDC and subscriber number, as the 4-digit local number is essential for successful routing.