Area Code 285 – Nova Sintra, Brava

Geographic Overview

The +238 285 numbering range is a geographic allocation within the Republic of Cabo Verde (Cape Verde), specifically designated for the municipality of Brava, with its administrative and commercial hub in the town of Nova Sintra. Brava is the smallest inhabited island of the archipelago, located in the Sotavento group, and is known for its mountainous terrain and limited fixed-line infrastructure. The 285 prefix functions as a National Destination Code (NDC) for local PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) subscribers within this municipality.

Dialing Procedures

For international callers, the complete E.164 number format is +238 285 XXX X, where the country code +238 is followed by the three-digit NDC 285 and a subscriber number of four digits. An example is +238 285 1234. When dialing from within Cape Verde but from a different island or mobile network, users must dial 0 285 XXX X (the trunk prefix 0 is required for domestic long-distance calls). For local calls within the Brava exchange, only the four-digit subscriber number may be dialed, depending on the operator's configuration.

Numbering and Regulatory Context

Under the ITU-T E.164 recommendation, the 285 prefix is a geographic number, meaning it is tied to a physical location and is used for fixed-line services. The regulatory authority, Agência de Regulação Multissectorial da Economia (ARME), oversees the allocation of these codes. As of recent updates, Cape Verde has not implemented number portability for geographic fixed-line numbers on a wide scale, so the prefix generally indicates the subscriber's physical exchange area. Overlay codes have not been introduced for Brava, so the 285 prefix remains unique to this municipality.

Practical Guidance for Callers

For callers from abroad, it is essential to replace the international access code (e.g., 00 or +) with the Cape Verde country code +238. From mobile phones, the plus sign (+) simplifies dialing. For example, a caller in Portugal would dial 00 238 285 1234, while a caller in the United States would dial 011 238 285 1234. Local businesses and residents should provide their number in international format (+238 285 XXX X) to avoid confusion for overseas clients. Due to the island's small population and limited fixed-line penetration, the 285 range is relatively small, and many residents rely on mobile services, which use separate non-geographic prefixes.