Haiti Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide

This guide provides a detailed overview of Haiti's telephone numbering system, crucial for developers, telecommunications professionals, and system administrators. We'll cover number formats, validation, dialing procedures, infrastructure considerations, emergency services integration, regulatory compliance, and future developments.

Quick Reference

• Country: Haiti
• Country Code: +509
• International Prefix: 00
• National Prefix: None
• Regulatory Bodies:
  • Autorité de Régulation des Communications (ARC) (https://www.arc.ht)
  • Comité National des Télécommunications (CONATEL) (http://www.conatel.gouv.ht)

Understanding Haiti's Telecommunications Landscape

Haiti's telecommunications infrastructure serves over 11.4 million people, navigating challenging terrain and diverse urban-rural environments. The system has shown resilience despite facing significant obstacles:

• Natural Disasters: Haiti's vulnerability to hurricanes and earthquakes necessitates robust and disaster-resistant infrastructure. Redundant network pathways and backup power systems are critical. The 2010 earthquake and Hurricane Matthew in 2016 severely tested the network, highlighting the need for ongoing improvements.
• Urban-Rural Divide: Ensuring reliable coverage across both densely populated urban areas and remote rural regions presents a complex challenge. The limited reach of traditional power grids requires telecom companies to invest in independent energy solutions, often relying on solar power and generators.
• Mobile Penetration: With a mobile penetration rate exceeding 60%, mobile services are the primary means of communication for many Haitians. This reliance on mobile technology underscores the importance of robust mobile network infrastructure. However, outdated infrastructure and system capacity limitations, particularly for Natcom (over 13 years without major upgrades), contribute to service disruptions and delays.
• Digital Transformation: Ongoing modernization efforts aim to improve connectivity and expand access to digital services. However, the lack of investment in updated infrastructure and the difficulty in supplying equipment, coupled with security concerns, pose significant obstacles to these efforts.

Numbering Plan Structure

Haiti uses a closed numbering plan, requiring full number dialing for all calls.

Number Format

[Country Code] + [Subscriber Number]
   +509       + [7 digits]

• Total Length: 10 digits (including country code)
• Example: +509 3434155

Number Types and Validation

Regex Validation (JavaScript):

const validateHaitianNumber = (number, type) => {
  const cleanNumber = number.replace(/\D/g, ''); // Remove non-digit characters

  if (cleanNumber.startsWith('509')) {
    cleanNumber = cleanNumber.slice(3); // Remove country code if present
  }

  const patterns = {
    landline: /^2[2-9]\d{5}$/,
    mobile: /^[34]\d{6}$/,
    tollFree: /^8\d{6}$/
  };

  return Object.entries(patterns)
    .find(([type, pattern]) => pattern.test(cleanNumber));
};

// Example usage:
console.log(validateHaitianNumber('5093434155', 'mobile')); // Returns ['mobile', pattern] if valid
console.log(validateHaitianNumber('2248925', 'landline')); // Returns ['landline', pattern] if valid

Dialing Procedures

Domestic Calls

Domestic calls within Haiti use direct 7-digit dialing.

International Calls

• Outbound (from Haiti): 00 + [Country Code] + [Number]
• Inbound (to Haiti): +509 + [Local Number]

Network Operations and Management

Service Providers

Major service providers include Natcom, Digicel, Access Haiti, Hainet, and Starlink. Number ranges are allocated by CONATEL. However, service quality and reliability remain significant concerns, with frequent outages and disruptions reported, particularly for Digicel and Natcom. Customer dissatisfaction is high, with many subscribers expressing frustration over the high cost of internet plans coupled with inconsistent connectivity.

Technical Implementation Considerations

• Number Validation: Implement robust validation using the provided regex patterns, including country code handling and international format conversion.
• Error Handling: Develop comprehensive error handling for invalid number formats, service provider range verification, and international prefix validation. Consider fallback mechanisms for network instability scenarios, given the challenges faced by Haiti's telecommunications infrastructure.
• System Integration: Ensure compatibility with the E.164 format, implement local number parsing, and handle mobile/landline routing logic.

Emergency Services

• Police: 114
• Fire: 115
• Ambulance: 116

Emergency Number Check (JavaScript):

const EMERGENCY_NUMBERS = ['114', '115', '116'];

function isEmergencyNumber(number) {
  return EMERGENCY_NUMBERS.includes(number);
}

Regulatory Framework and Compliance

CONATEL oversees number allocation, operator licensing, technical standards, and infrastructure development. However, CONATEL's regulatory and enforcement power has been weakened, as evidenced by the unresolved dispute between Digicel and Paret Hospitality Group S.A. over network cable access, which led to widespread connectivity issues.

Special Cases and Number Management

Haiti uses a straightforward number allocation process managed by CONATEL. All numbers follow the standard 7-digit format, differentiated primarily by service type. There is no tiered pricing structure for special number sequences.

Future Developments

While the numbering plan is currently stable, anticipate potential changes:

• Number Portability: Implementation of number portability could impact routing and validation procedures.
• Expanded Mobile Ranges: Increased mobile penetration may necessitate the introduction of new number ranges.
• Enhanced Emergency Services: Integration with advanced emergency response systems could require updates to existing implementations.

Staying Updated: Consult CONATEL's official documentation (http://www.conatel.gouv.ht) for the latest regulations and updates. Also, be aware of the ongoing challenges related to infrastructure resilience, security, and service reliability, as these factors can significantly impact telecommunications operations in Haiti.

Last updated: December 2025