Area Code 247 – Apure/Barinas/Guárico

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The +58 247 country-code/area-code combination is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Venezuelan states of Apure, Barinas, and Guárico. This area encompasses the central-western and central-southern regions of the country, bordering Colombia to the west. The code serves both urban and rural communities, with primary cities including San Fernando de Apure (capital of Apure), Barinas (capital of Barinas), and San Juan de los Morros (capital of Guárico). Other notable towns under this code include Calabozo, Guasdualito, and Alto Apure. The administrative jurisdiction aligns with the respective state boundaries, and the code is managed under the national numbering plan administered by the Comisión Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (CONATEL).

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

For local calls within the same area code (e.g., from Barinas to San Fernando de Apure), subscribers typically dial the 7-digit local subscriber number directly, omitting the trunk prefix and area code. However, for calls from other regions within Venezuela, the format is 0-247-XXX-XXXX, where the leading '0' is the national trunk prefix. For international callers, the correct format is +58 247 XXX XXXX (or +58-247-XXX-XXXX). When dialing from a mobile phone in Venezuela, the national trunk prefix '0' is often omitted, so callers may use 247-XXX-XXXX directly. It is essential to replace the '+' with the appropriate international access code (e.g., 011 from the US, 00 from most European countries) when dialing from abroad.

Numbering Structure and Overlay Considerations

Venezuelan fixed-line numbers under area code 247 consist of a 7-digit subscriber number, making the total international number length 11 digits (including the country code). Currently, there is no overlay code in this region, meaning that 247 is the sole geographic code for the covered states. However, due to the growth of VoIP and mobile substitution, some numbers may be ported to mobile networks, but the geographic identity of the code remains unchanged. Callers should be aware that calls to 247 numbers are charged as domestic fixed-line calls when dialed from within Venezuela, while international rates apply from abroad.

Service and Network Infrastructure

The 247 area code is primarily served by the state-owned operator CANTV, along with private fixed-line providers. The region has seen investments in fiber-optic backbones and 4G LTE mobile networks, improving connectivity in urban centers. However, rural areas may still rely on older copper infrastructure or wireless local loop systems. For emergency services, callers should dial 911 (or 171 for national emergencies) regardless of the area code.