Area Code 456 – Fray Bentos/Rio Negro

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The area code 456 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the city of Fray Bentos, the capital of the Río Negro Department in western Uruguay. This code serves the urban and suburban areas of Fray Bentos, as well as nearby localities within the department, such as Nuevo Berlín and San Javier. The region is known for its historical meat-processing industry and its strategic location along the Uruguay River, opposite the Argentine city of Gualeguaychú.

Dialing Formats and Number Structure

Within Uruguay, calls to Fray Bentos require dialing the trunk prefix 0, followed by the area code 456 and the subscriber number. The complete national significant number (NSN) for a fixed line in this region is 8 digits long, comprising the area code (3 digits) and a 5-digit subscriber number. For example, a local number might be formatted as 4562 3456.

For international callers, the correct format is +598 4562 3456, where +598 is the country calling code for Uruguay, followed by the area code without the leading trunk prefix '0'. It is essential to omit the '0' when dialing from abroad.

Caller Instructions

• Local callers (within Uruguay): Dial 0 456 2 3456 (the '0' is the national trunk prefix).
• International callers: Dial your country's exit code (e.g., 00 or 011), then 598 456 2 3456.
• Mobile-to-fixed calls: Uruguayan mobile users must also include the '0' and area code when calling a fixed line in Fray Bentos.

Overlay and Numbering Plan Considerations

Currently, there is no overlay code for the 456 area; the region retains its unique geographic code. However, as part of Uruguay's national numbering plan, all fixed-line numbers are transitioning toward a uniform 8-digit format (including the area code) to accommodate future services. Subscriber numbers within 456 typically begin with digits 2-9, and the total length of the national significant number is always 8 digits.

Practical Usage and Economic Context

Fray Bentos is a commercial and industrial hub, home to the iconic Fray Bentos industrial complex (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Businesses in the area often use fixed lines for local operations, and the 456 code is essential for reaching government offices, banks, and local enterprises. For VoIP users, it is important to ensure that the service provider supports geographic numbering to correctly route calls to this region.