Area Code 464 – Melo/Cerro Largo

Overview of Area Code 464 (Melo, Cerro Largo)

Area code 464 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the city of Melo and the broader department of Cerro Largo in northeastern Uruguay. This code is part of the national numbering plan administered by Unidad Reguladora de Servicios de Comunicaciones (URSEC) under ITU-T E.164 guidelines. Melo, the departmental capital, is the primary urban center served by this code, along with smaller localities such as Río Branco, Fraile Muerto, and Aceguá.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

Cerro Largo borders Brazil to the east and is characterized by its agricultural and livestock economy. The 464 code covers all fixed-line telephone services within this department, including both residential and business lines. The region is served by Antel, Uruguay's state-owned telecommunications provider, which operates the PSTN and fiber-optic infrastructure. The code is exclusively geographic, meaning it is tied to the physical location of the line; however, number portability may allow subscribers to retain their number if they move within the same exchange area, subject to regulatory conditions.

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

For local callers within Uruguay, the national dialing format is 0 464 XXX XXX (where the leading 0 is the trunk prefix). For example, to call a fixed line in Melo, you would dial 0 464 123 456. International callers must use Uruguay's country code +598, followed by the area code without the leading 0, resulting in +598 464 123 456. When dialing from a mobile phone within Uruguay, the same national format applies, but the 0 is often optional depending on the carrier; it is always safe to include it.

Overlays and Numbering Evolution

Currently, there is no overlay code for 464; the department uses a single NDC. However, as demand for fixed-line services grows, URSEC may introduce additional numbering ranges or overlay codes in the future. Subscribers in Melo can also use Voice over IP (VoIP) services, but these are typically assigned non-geographic numbers unless they are specifically tied to a fixed-line service. For callers from abroad, it is essential to note that international dialing charges apply, and the call will be routed via the PSTN to the Cerro Largo region.

Practical Tips for Callers

• Local calls within Cerro Largo can be made using the 7-digit subscriber number preceded by 464 (e.g., 464 123 456).
• National long-distance calls from other Uruguayan departments require dialing 0 464 before the subscriber number.
• International calls to Melo require the +598 country code, then 464, then the 7-digit number (e.g., +598 464 123 456).
• Always verify the subscriber number length; fixed-line numbers in Uruguay are 7 digits after the area code.

Understanding the correct dialing format ensures seamless connectivity to businesses, government offices, and residents in the Cerro Largo department.