Area Code 29 – Port Vila, Shefa

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The area code 29 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the capital city of Vanuatu, Port Vila, located on the island of Efate in Shefa Province. This code is used for fixed-line (PSTN) services within the urban and peri-urban areas of Port Vila, including the central business district, government precincts, and residential suburbs. The administrative jurisdiction of this code falls under the Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR) of Vanuatu, which oversees the national numbering plan in accordance with ITU-T E.164 recommendations.

Dialing Formats and Number Structure

When dialing a fixed-line number in Port Vila, the national significant number (NSN) consists of seven digits, beginning with the NDC '29'. The local number format is 29X XXXX, where the first digit after '29' often indicates a specific exchange or district within the city. For local calls within Vanuatu, callers must dial the full seven-digit NSN, including the area code, as no trunk prefix is used. For international callers, the format is +678 29X XXXX, where +678 is the country calling code for Vanuatu. The leading '0' is not used in Vanuatu's dialing plan.

Caller Instructions

Local callers (within Vanuatu) should dial the seven-digit number directly, e.g., 29 12345. International callers should replace the local access code with the international prefix (e.g., 00 or +) followed by the country code 678, then the area code and subscriber number, resulting in +678 29 12345. It is important to note that when calling from a mobile phone, the plus sign (+) is typically used to denote the international access code.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

As of the latest TRBR updates, there is no overlay code for Port Vila; the '29' code remains the sole geographic code for the capital. However, due to the increasing demand for telecommunication services, the regulator has implemented number pooling and efficient utilization measures to extend the life of the existing numbering resources. Fixed-line numbers are non-portable between geographic areas, meaning a number assigned to Port Vila cannot be transferred to another island or region.

Service and Usage

These numbers are primarily used for residential and business fixed-line services, including internet via DSL or fiber, and are often associated with government offices, commercial enterprises, and international organizations based in the capital. While mobile penetration is high, fixed-line services remain crucial for official communications and high-speed internet connectivity. For businesses, having a local '29' number establishes a permanent presence in the economic hub of Vanuatu.