Guyana Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide

This guide provides a deep dive into Guyana's phone numbering system, offering developers the essential information needed for seamless integration with applications and services. Whether you're building telecommunications software, validating user input, or managing international communications, this resource covers number formats, dialing procedures, validation techniques, best practices, and regulatory considerations.

Quick Reference

• Country: Guyana 🇬🇾
• Country Code: +592
• International Prefix (Outgoing): 001
• International Prefix (Incoming - from USA): 011
• National Prefix: None
• National Significant Number (NSN): 7 digits
• Standard Format (E.164): +592 XXXXXXX

Best Practice: Always store phone numbers in the international E.164 format (+592XXXXXXX) for optimal compatibility and interoperability.

Guyana's Telecommunications Landscape

Guyana's telecommunications sector has undergone significant liberalization since October 2020, fostering competition and growth. This expansion is driven by increasing demand from various sectors, including oil and gas, a growing migrant population, and the development of call centers and data warehousing. The government actively promotes ICT development, with initiatives like training programs for over 3,000 individuals. This growth presents opportunities for developers and businesses in the telecommunications space.

Number Formats and Structure

Guyana uses a closed numbering plan with a uniform 7-digit NSN structure across the country. No area codes are used within Guyana, simplifying both domestic and international dialing.

The first digit of the 7-digit number indicates the service type:

• 2: Landline (Fixed-line services) - Format: 2[1-9]XXXXXX (e.g., 2221234)
• 6, 7[0-5]: Mobile (Cellular services) - Format: 6XXXXXX or 7[0-5]XXXXX (e.g., 6123456, 7012345)
• 8: Toll-Free (Free-to-caller services) - Format: 800XXXX (e.g., 8001234)
• 9: Premium Rate (Pay-per-call services) - Format: 9008XXX (e.g., 9008123)

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

• Local Calls: Dial the 7-digit number directly.
• Mobile to Mobile: Dial the 7-digit mobile number directly.

International Calls

• Outgoing from Guyana: Dial 001 + Country Code + Number. For example, to call the USA, dial 001 1 212 555 0123.
• Incoming to Guyana (from USA): Dial 011 + 592 + 7-digit Local Number. For example, to call Guyana from the USA, dial 011 592 222 1234. Note that the international prefix may vary depending on the originating country.

Number Validation

Robust validation is crucial for ensuring data integrity and preventing errors. Use regular expressions to validate Guyanese phone numbers effectively:

// Landline
const landlineRegex = /^2[1-9]\d{5}$/;

// Mobile
const mobileRegex = /^(6\d{6}|7[0-5]\d{5})$/;

// Toll-free
const tollFreeRegex = /^800\d{4}$/;

// Premium Rate
const premiumRateRegex = /^9008\d{3}$/;

function validateGuyanaNumber(number, type) {
  const cleanedNumber = number.replace(/\D/g, ''); // Remove non-digit characters
  switch (type) {
    case 'landline': return landlineRegex.test(cleanedNumber);
    case 'mobile': return mobileRegex.test(cleanedNumber);
    case 'tollFree': return tollFreeRegex.test(cleanedNumber);
    case 'premiumRate': return premiumRateRegex.test(cleanedNumber);
    default: return false;
  }
}

// Example usage:
console.log(validateGuyanaNumber('2221234', 'landline')); // true
console.log(validateGuyanaNumber('+5926123456', 'mobile')); // true (after cleaning)
console.log(validateGuyanaNumber('800-1234', 'tollFree')); // true (after cleaning)

Implementation Best Practices

• Storage: Always store numbers in E.164 format (+592XXXXXXX). This ensures consistency and facilitates integration with various systems. Consider storing the original user input alongside the E.164 version for auditing and troubleshooting. Adding metadata about the number type (landline, mobile, etc.) can also be beneficial.
• Display: Format numbers appropriately for display based on user locale. For local display within Guyana, consider formats like XXX-XXXX. For international display, use the full E.164 format (+592 XXX XXXX).
• Validation Pipeline: Implement a comprehensive validation pipeline that includes format checking, length verification, prefix validation, and potentially connectivity testing. Regularly review and update your validation rules to accommodate any changes in the numbering plan.

Python Implementation Examples

import re

def format_guyana_number(local_number):
    cleaned = re.sub(r'\D', '', local_number)
    return f"+592{cleaned}"

def format_for_display(e164_number):
    local = e164_number[4:]
    return f"{local[:3]}-{local[3:]}"

def validate_guyana_number(number):
    cleaned = re.sub(r'\D', '', number)
    if number.startswith('+592'):
        cleaned = cleaned[3:]
    if len(cleaned) != 7:
        return False
    valid_prefixes = ['2', '6', '7', '8', '9']
    return cleaned[0] in valid_prefixes

Regulatory Compliance

Stay updated on Guyana's telecommunications regulations by referring to the Telecommunications Agency's official website (https://telecoms.gov.gy/). The Telecommunications Act of 2016 governs the sector, and the Agency provides relevant regulations and licensing information. Always verify the latest requirements when implementing telecommunications systems in Guyana.

Error Handling and Edge Cases

Implement robust error handling to manage invalid input and other unexpected scenarios. Provide clear error messages to users and log errors for debugging purposes.

function processGuyanaNumber(input) {
    try {
        const cleaned = input.replace(/\D/g, '');
        if (!validate_guyana_number(cleaned)) {
            throw new Error('Invalid Guyana number format.');
        }
        return format_guyana_number(cleaned);
    } catch (error) {
        console.error(`Error processing number: ${error.message}`);
        // Handle the error appropriately, e.g., display an error message to the user.
        return null;
    }
}

This comprehensive guide equips developers with the knowledge and tools to handle Guyana phone numbers effectively. By following the best practices and staying informed about regulatory updates, you can ensure seamless integration and reliable communication within your applications.