Area Code 553 – Tebicuary

Overview of Area Code 553 (Tebicuary, Paraguay)

Area code 553 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned within the Paraguayan national numbering plan, under the international country calling code +595. It serves the district of Tebicuary, located in the department of Guairá, in the central-eastern region of Paraguay. Tebicuary is a small agricultural town situated along the Tebicuary River, approximately 150 km southeast of Asunción. The code covers the urban area of Tebicuary and its surrounding rural districts, including nearby compañías and agricultural settlements.

Dialing Formats and Usage

For callers within Paraguay, the national dialing format for numbers in this area code is (021) 553 XXXX? No, that is incorrect. The correct national format is 0553 XXXXX? Let's clarify: In Paraguay, the national significant number (NSN) for geographic numbers is typically 9 digits, including the NDC. For area code 553, the NDC is 3 digits, and the subscriber number is 6 digits, making the total NSN 9 digits. Thus, national dialing from within Paraguay requires dialing 0 followed by the NDC and subscriber number: 0 553 XXX XXX. For international callers, the format is +595 553 XXX XXX (or 00 595 553 XXX XXX from many countries).

Local calls within the same area code may be made using the 6-digit subscriber number alone, depending on the local exchange, but for clarity and to avoid misdialing, it is recommended to always use the full national format, especially when calling from mobile networks.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Context

Tebicuary is the capital of the district of the same name, which is one of the districts of the Guairá Department. The area code 553 is dedicated exclusively to this district and its immediate surroundings. The region is primarily rural, with economic activities centered on agriculture, livestock, and small-scale commerce. The town itself has basic services, including health centers, schools, and local government offices. The telephone infrastructure is provided by the state-owned operator COPACO (Compañía Paraguaya de Comunicaciones) and other licensed carriers, offering both fixed-line and some wireless local loop services.

Overlays and Numbering Considerations

As of the latest ITU-T E.164 national numbering plan updates, there are no overlay codes for area 553. The code is unique to Tebicuary and is not shared with other districts. However, with the growth of mobile and VoIP services, the distinction between geographic and non-geographic numbers is becoming less relevant for end users, but fixed-line numbers under 553 remain tied to the physical location of the line.

For callers from abroad, it is essential to note that the leading '0' of the national prefix is not dialed when using the international format. For example, to call a Tebicuary number with subscriber number 123456, you would dial +595 553 123456. For callers within Paraguay, dial 0 553 123456 from any phone, including mobile phones.

In case of a call failure, verify the number length and ensure you have the correct country and area codes. For further assistance, consult your telecom provider or the national regulator, CONATEL.