Area Code 49 – Artemisa Province

Overview of Area Code 49 in Cuba

Area code 49 is the geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Artemisa Province in western Cuba. This province was established in 2011 by splitting the former La Habana Province, and its telephone infrastructure reflects that administrative reorganization. The code covers the provincial capital, Artemisa, as well as major municipalities such as San Antonio de los Baños, Güira de Melena, Alquízar, and Caimito. It is important to note that area code 49 is used exclusively for fixed-line (PSTN) services within the province; mobile numbers in Cuba use separate non-geographic prefixes.

Dialing Formats

For callers within Cuba, dialing a fixed line in Artemisa requires the national trunk prefix 0, followed by the area code and the subscriber number. For example, to reach a local number 123456 in Artemisa, you would dial: 0 49 123456. When calling from outside Cuba, you must use the international access prefix (typically 00 or +), followed by Cuba's country code 53, then the area code 49 (without the leading 0), and the subscriber number. Thus, an international caller would dial: +53 49 123456.

Geographic Coverage and Administration

Artemisa Province is located in the western part of the island, bordering Havana Province to the east and Pinar del Río to the west. The area code 49 is administered by the Cuban telecommunications monopoly, ETECSA (Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba S.A.). As a geographic code, it is tied to the physical location of the fixed-line subscriber. This means that if a business or residence moves outside the Artemisa Province, they would typically need to change their phone number to the corresponding area code of their new location.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

Currently, there is no overlay code for Artemisa; the province is served solely by area code 49. Subscriber numbers within this code are typically six digits long, resulting in a total national significant number length of eight digits (area code plus subscriber number). This format aligns with Cuba's national numbering plan, which uses closed dialing for fixed lines. Callers should be aware that when dialing from a mobile phone within Cuba, the same national format (0-49-XXXXXX) applies, but international roaming charges may vary depending on the caller's carrier.

Practical Guidance for Callers

For local callers within Artemisa, it is possible to dial the six-digit subscriber number directly without the area code, as per Cuban local dialing conventions. However, for clarity and to avoid errors, it is recommended to use the full national format. For international callers, it is essential to replace the leading '0' of the national prefix with the appropriate international access code (e.g., 011 from North America) and then dial 53 49 followed by the subscriber number. Always verify the exact subscriber number length, as some older lines may have fewer digits.