Area Code 56 – Ica

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The +51 56 country and area code combination corresponds to the Ica region of Peru, a geographic numbering area under the administration of the Peruvian telecommunications regulator, Organismo Supervisor de Inversión Privada en Telecomunicaciones (OSIPTEL). The Ica region is located on the southern coast of Peru and includes the provinces of Ica, Chincha, Pisco, Nazca, and Palpa. The area code 56 serves the entire department, covering both urban centers and rural communities. The principal city, Ica, is the regional capital and the largest urban area within the code, followed by Chincha Alta, Pisco, Nazca, and Palpa.

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

For callers within Peru, dialing a fixed-line number in the Ica region requires the national trunk prefix 0, followed by the area code 56, and the seven-digit subscriber number. For example, a local call from Lima to a fixed line in Ica would be dialed as 0 56 XXX XXXX. For international callers, the Peruvian country code +51 is used, followed by the area code 56 and the seven-digit subscriber number, omitting the trunk prefix. Thus, an international caller would dial +51 56 XXX XXXX. It is important to note that the subscriber number is seven digits long, and the total length of a national significant number (NSN) is nine digits, including the area code.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

As of the latest OSIPTEL numbering plan, the Ica region does not have an overlay code; the area code 56 is exclusively assigned to this geographic region. However, number portability is available in Peru for fixed-line services, allowing subscribers to retain their numbers when changing service providers within the same geographic area. This means that a number with the 56 prefix may be serviced by any licensed fixed-line operator, not necessarily the original incumbent. Callers should be aware that the geographic association of the number does not change with portability.

Practical Usage and Examples

For businesses and individuals, understanding the correct dialing format is essential for seamless communication. For instance, a local call from a mobile phone in Peru to a fixed line in Ica would still require the area code, as mobile numbers are non-geographic and require full national dialing. An example of a complete international dialing sequence from the United States would be: 011 51 56 234 5678 (where 234 5678 is a placeholder for the subscriber number). Always verify the subscriber number length and ensure you have the correct area code to avoid misdialing.