Area Code 23 – Cotopaxi/Tungurahua/Chimborazo/Bolívar/Pastaza
The phone area code for Cotopaxi/Tungurahua/Chimborazo/Bolívar/Pastaza is 23 (international format +59323). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📍 Geographic Location of Cotopaxi/Tungurahua/Chimborazo/Bolívar/Pastaza
Overview of Area Code 23 in Ecuador
Area code 23 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the central Andean and eastern foothill regions of Ecuador. It serves the provinces of Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Chimborazo, Bolívar, and Pastaza. This code is part of the national numbering plan under the ITU-T E.164 recommendation, managed by the Agencia de Regulación y Control de las Telecomunicaciones (ARCOTEL).
Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction
The code covers a diverse area including major cities such as Latacunga (Cotopaxi), Ambato (Tungurahua), Riobamba (Chimborazo), Guaranda (Bolívar), and Puyo (Pastaza). These provincial capitals are administrative and commercial hubs, and the code is used for fixed-line PSTN and VoIP services within these jurisdictions.
Dialing Formats
For local calls within the same area code, callers typically dial the 7-digit subscriber number only. However, for calls from other regions in Ecuador, the format is 0 23 XXX XXXX (trunk prefix 0, then area code 23, then the 7-digit local number). For international callers, the format is +593 23 XXX XXXX (country code 593, then area code 23 without the leading 0, then the 7-digit number).
Example: To call a fixed line in Ambato (e.g., 2345 6789) from abroad, you would dial +593 23 2345 6789.
Overlay and Numbering Considerations
Currently, there is no overlay code for area 23, meaning the 7-digit subscriber numbers are unique within the code. However, with the growth of telecommunication services, ARCOTEL may introduce number expansion or overlay plans in the future. It is always advisable to verify the current dialing procedures with your local service provider.
Caller Instructions
- Local callers (within the same province): Dial the 7-digit number directly.
- National callers (from other provinces): Dial 0 23 followed by the 7-digit number.
- International callers: Dial your country's exit code, then 593 23, then the 7-digit number.
This area code is exclusively for fixed-line services; mobile numbers in Ecuador use different non-geographic codes (e.g., 09X). When dialing from a mobile phone, you may need to include the trunk prefix 0 even for local calls, depending on your operator's settings.