Area Code 22 – Santiago, Metropolitan Region

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The country calling code +56 is assigned to Chile, and the national destination code (NDC) 22 designates a geographic area within the Metropolitan Region of Santiago. This area code covers the capital city, Santiago, and its surrounding communes, including Providencia, Las Condes, Ñuñoa, Santiago Centro, and others. As a geographic prefix, 22 is tied to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) and is used for fixed-line services. The administrative jurisdiction falls under the Subsecretaría de Telecomunicaciones (SUBTEL), which regulates numbering resources in Chile.

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

For local callers within Chile, dialing a number in the 22 area code requires the trunk prefix '0' followed by the NDC and the subscriber number. For example, to call a fixed line in Santiago from another region in Chile, you would dial 0 22 XXX XXXX. However, within the same area code, local calls may be dialed using only the 8-digit subscriber number, depending on the operator's configuration. For international callers, the format is +56 22 XXX XXXX, where the leading '0' is omitted. It is essential to note that the subscriber number for fixed lines in Santiago is 8 digits long, making the complete national significant number (NSN) 9 digits (including the NDC).

Overlay and Numbering Evolution

Historically, Santiago used area codes 2 and later 22, following a national renumbering plan in the late 1990s that standardized all fixed-line numbers to 8 digits. Currently, the 22 prefix is the sole geographic code for the entire Metropolitan Region, and there are no overlay codes. This means that the 22 code uniquely identifies the Santiago region, simplifying dialing and routing. The numbering plan is closed, and all fixed-line numbers are 9 digits long (including the NDC) when dialed nationally.

Technical Considerations and Services

Fixed-line services under the 22 prefix are provided by incumbent operators such as Movistar, Entel, and Claro, as well as various smaller ISPs offering VoIP and PSTN services. Number portability is available in Chile, allowing users to retain their fixed-line numbers when switching providers. For VoIP services, the same geographic number can be used, but it is not tied to a physical location, which may affect emergency call routing. When calling from abroad, it is crucial to use the correct international format to avoid misrouting. For example, a call to a Santiago number should be dialed as +56 22 2345 6789.

Practical Examples

• Local call (within Santiago): 22 2345 6789
• National call (from another region): 0 22 2345 6789
• International call (from outside Chile): +56 22 2345 6789