Telephone numbers in Chad

Telephone numbers in Chad are regulated by the Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et des Postes (ARCEP), the country's telecommunications authority, under a closed national numbering plan that assigns an international country code of +235 followed by an 8-digit national significant number (NSN).^[1][2] This structure, implemented since the migration from 7 to 8 digits on March 15, 2010, ensures efficient allocation of resources across fixed, mobile, and special services without a national trunk prefix.^[2] The plan organizes numbers in the format ABPQMCDU, where AB indicates the service type (e.g., 22 for fixed lines), and PQMCDU forms the subscriber portion, with all digits ranging from 0 to 9.^[1] Fixed-line numbers, primarily operated by Sotel-Tchad, begin with the prefix 22 (such as 225XXXXX or 226XXXXX) and are concentrated in urban areas like N'Djamena, though geographic distinctions are minimal due to the centralized network.^[1] Mobile numbers dominate the sector, with over 99% of connections being cellular as of 2023 given the negligible fixed infrastructure, and prefixes allocated as follows: Airtel Chad uses 60, 62, 63, 65, 66, 68, and 77 (e.g., 631XXXXX), while Moov Africa Chad uses 90, 91, 92, 93, 95, 98, and 99 (e.g., 951XXXXX); additional CDMA and semi-mobile services under Sotel-Tchad include 227, 228, and 223.^[1][3] These allocations support major operators serving Chad's approximately 14.7 million mobile subscribers as of 2025, reflecting the country's heavy reliance on GSM networks.^[4][1] International dialing to Chad requires the exit code (00 from within Chad or equivalent abroad) followed by +235 and the 8-digit NSN, enabling seamless global connectivity under ITU-T E.164 standards.^[2] Special services include short value-added numbers (3-6 digits) and 8-digit internet access codes starting with 08, while emergency numbers like 17 (police) and 18 (ambulance/fire) remain accessible without prefixes.^[1][5] ARCEP oversees numbering resource distribution, ensuring fair allocation and compliance, with reserved ranges (e.g., 00 for international access, 01-09 and 4-5 for future use) to accommodate growth in a market where mobile penetration reached approximately 77% as of 2024 despite challenges in rural coverage.^[1][6]

Introduction

Overview

The telephone numbering system in Chad adheres to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) standards, with the country code +235 assigned under the E.164 recommendation for international telecommunication numbering.^[2] This code facilitates global connectivity for both fixed-line and mobile services across the country. Chad's national significant number (NSN) consists of exactly 8 digits for all telephone numbers, excluding any national prefix, ensuring a uniform closed numbering plan without variable lengths.^[2] The general structure of Chad's telephone numbers follows an 8-digit format: a 2-digit prefix identifying the service type (such as geographic fixed-line or mobile networks) followed by a 6-digit subscriber number.^[2] For outbound international calls from Chad, the international access prefix is 00, which precedes the country code of the destination.^[2] This closed plan, fixed at 8 digits, was established through a 2010 reform that migrated from a previous 7-digit system to accommodate growing demand and modernize the infrastructure.^[2] As of early 2025, there were approximately 14.5 million cellular mobile connections in Chad, equivalent to a penetration rate of 69.8% of the population, reflecting the dominance of wireless services in a largely rural nation.^[7] In contrast, fixed-line telephony remains minimal, with fewer than 5,000 subscriptions nationwide and penetration below 1 per 100 inhabitants (2022 est.), primarily confined to urban centers like N'Djaména due to infrastructure limitations.^[8]

Regulatory authority

The Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et des Postes (ARCEP) serves as the independent regulatory authority overseeing telecommunications and postal services in Chad, with a specific focus on managing the national telephone numbering plan. Established in 2014 through Loi N°013/PR/2014, ARCEP operates as a public administrative entity with legal personality, financial autonomy, and managerial independence.^[9] Its creation marked a shift toward a more comprehensive regulatory framework, replacing the earlier Office Tchadien de Régulation des Télécommunications (OTRT), which had been formed in 1998 under Loi N°009/PR/98 to handle initial telecom oversight. Headquartered in N'Djamena at Avenue du Général Daoud Soumaïne, BP 5808, ARCEP ensures coordinated governance of the sector from the capital.^[10] ARCEP's core mandate encompasses the allocation of numbering resources to operators, enforcement of applicable numbering rules, resolution of disputes among telecom providers, and periodic updates to the national numbering plan to adapt to evolving demands.^[11] These responsibilities are outlined in Loi N°013/PR/2014, which grants ARCEP exclusive competence to regulate, monitor, and follow up on activities by operators and service providers in electronic communications.^[12] By managing these elements, ARCEP aims to foster efficient resource utilization and equitable access within Chad's telecommunications landscape. Among its key powers, ARCEP holds authority to approve new prefixes and numbering ranges, monitor operator compliance with technical and legal standards, and promote competition to encourage sector development and innovation.^[11] It can impose sanctions on non-compliant entities, ensuring adherence to regulations that support fair market practices. In line with this, ARCEP has engaged in recent initiatives, such as communicating updates to the national numbering plan in 2015 via the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to optimize resource allocation and address growing mobile and fixed-line needs.^[2]

History

Early development

During the French colonial period, telecommunications infrastructure in Chad was minimal and primarily served administrative and military purposes in urban centers like Fort-Lamy (now N'Djamena), with development focused on maintaining control rather than widespread access. Upon independence in 1960, the nascent telephone system was managed as a state monopoly under the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, inheriting a rudimentary network that connected only major cities such as N'Djamena, Abéché, Moundou, and Sarh.^[13] The 1970s and 1980s were marked by significant disruptions to expansion due to ongoing civil unrest and political instability, which limited investments and maintenance. By the late 1980s, the fixed-line network had just over 3,000 subscriptions nationwide, with service described as erratic and frequently interrupted, and nearly all international calls routed through Paris via telex and telephone links.^[14][13] In the 1990s, modest growth occurred as stability improved slightly, with fixed lines increasing to approximately 8,600 by 1998, though 83% remained concentrated in N'Djamena and international connectivity relied heavily on satellite links to compensate for inadequate terrestrial infrastructure.^[14][15] In 1998, the Société des Télécommunications du Tchad (Sotel Tchad) was established as the state-owned entity overseeing fixed-line services, formed from the merger of existing postal and telecom branches.^[16] The introduction of mobile services began in the late 1990s with private operators entering the market, but initial penetration remained below 1% through the early 2000s due to high costs, limited coverage, and low affordability.^[17][16]

Numbering plan evolution

Prior to 2010, Chad's telephone numbering system utilized a seven-digit national significant number (NSN) format, which included varying structures for fixed-line and mobile services, with international calls prefixed by the country code +235 followed by the shorter local numbers.^[18] On March 15, 2010, at midnight local time, the Office Tchadien de Régulation des Télécommunications (OTRT) implemented a major reform migrating the system to an eight-digit NSN to accommodate rapid growth in telecommunications subscriptions and align with international standards for closed numbering plans.^[18] The new structure followed the format AB-PQMCDU, where AB designated the service or network (e.g., 22 for fixed-line services operated by Sotel Tchad, 63 for mobile services by Zain, and 95 for mobile by Millicom), and the remaining digits identified the user or subscriber.^[18] This change expanded the overall capacity of the numbering plan, enabling support for increased demand in both fixed and mobile sectors.^[18] In 2014, the OTRT was replaced by the Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et des Postes (ARCEP) as the primary regulatory body overseeing telecommunications, including numbering resources.^[19] Under ARCEP's authority, a key update occurred on January 14, 2015, with the allocation of a new non-geographic range (65000000–65999999) for mobile telephony services, assigned to operator Airtel-Tchad to facilitate further expansion in mobile subscriptions.^[2] This reallocation targeted growing mobile demand without altering the core eight-digit format.^[2] No significant structural reforms to the numbering plan have been introduced since 2015, though ARCEP continues to manage resource assignments in line with sector growth.^[20]

Numbering structure

National format

In Chad, domestic telephone calls, whether local or between regions, are placed by dialing the full 8-digit national significant number directly, with no trunk prefix required. This uniform procedure simplifies intra-country communication and applies to both fixed-line and mobile numbers.^[2][21] The national format structures telephone numbers as an 8-digit sequence, beginning with a 2-digit prefix that identifies the service type—such as geographic codes for fixed lines (e.g., 22 for N'Djamena) or mobile operators (e.g., 66 or 99)—followed by 6 subscriber digits. For readability, numbers are often grouped as YY YY XX XX. An example is 22 51 23 45 for a fixed-line number in the capital.^[2][3][21] Direct 8-digit dialing nationwide was established by the 2010 numbering plan reform, which expanded numbers from 7 to 8 digits and removed the need for additional long-distance codes, enhancing efficiency in the country's telecommunications network.^[2][3] National calls do not use a leading zero, and short codes for special services follow separate dialing rules.^[21]

International dialing

To dial a telephone number in Chad from abroad, the international country code +235 is prefixed to the 8-digit national significant number (NSN). For example, a fixed-line number in N'Djamena might be dialed as +235 22 51 xx xx.^[22][23] From within Chad, international calls are made by first dialing the international exit code 00, followed by the destination country code and the full national number. For instance, to call a number in the United States, dial 00 1 555 123 4567.^[24] International calls in Chad are relatively expensive, with mobile rates up to 180 CFA francs per minute.^[25] Chad adheres to the ITU-T E.164 standard for international telephone numbering, ensuring that all numbers are formatted as +235 followed by the NSN for use in global directories and routing systems.^[26]

Geographic codes

Fixed-line area codes

Fixed-line telephone numbers in Chad are part of the 8-digit national numbering plan regulated by the Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et des Postes (ARCEP), primarily using the prefix 22 for services operated by Sotel-Tchad.^[1] While earlier plans (as of 2005) included limited 2-digit routing codes (PQs: 50–54, 68, 69) for broad zones covering provinces like Kanem, Lac, Batha, B.E.T., and Guéra, detailed geographic assignments are not publicly specified in current documentation.^[27] These codes facilitate internal network routing but do not provide distinct area prefixes for dialing, reflecting the centralized nature of the fixed-line infrastructure with minimal geographic distinctions.^[1]

Regional coverage

Fixed-line telephone services in Chad are heavily concentrated in urban areas, particularly N’Djamena, where the majority of the limited infrastructure is located.^[28] In contrast, rural regions experience sparse coverage, often relying on satellite-based VSAT systems for connectivity due to limited terrestrial infrastructure and challenges such as low population density, security issues, and lack of electricity (only 2% rural access as of 2021).^[28] The fixed-line network aligns loosely with Chad's 23 administrative provinces, but with very low national penetration (fixed services hold about 0.1% market share as of 2021, or under 2% of connections).^[28] For example, northern areas like the Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti (B.E.T.) province rely on limited exchanges in key settlements such as Faya-Largeau. Coverage challenges persist across diverse terrain from deserts to savannas, with fixed-line subscribers numbering around 10,000–30,000 as of the early 2020s. ARCEP oversees improvements through operator investments, such as Airtel Chad's 2023 plan for fiber optic deployments to connect underserved areas like Abéché, Ati, and Sarh by June 2026, aiming to enhance overall connectivity despite the dominance of mobile services.^[29]

Mobile numbers

Prefixes and operators

In Chad, mobile telephone numbers are eight digits long and begin with specific two-digit prefixes allocated by the Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et des Postes (ARCEP) to the country's main network operators, a structure established following the sector's liberalization in the early 2000s.^[30][2] These prefixes help identify the operator and prevent number exhaustion through managed range allocation.^[31] Airtel Chad, formerly Celtel and later Zain, holds approximately 47% market share as of 2024 and uses the prefixes 60, 62, 63, 65, 66, and 68 (e.g., 631XXXXX) for its services, including widespread 2G, 3G, and 4G coverage.^[32][1] Moov Africa Chad, operated by Millicom and formerly known as Tigo Chad, holds approximately 53% market share as of 2024 and employs the prefixes 90, 91, 92, 93, 95, 98, and 99 (e.g., 951XXXXX), emphasizing urban data services with advanced 4G offerings.^[32][1][33] Salam Mobile, an affiliate of the state-owned Sotel Tchad, focuses on rural connectivity using primarily 2G and 3G networks with CDMA prefixes 227, 228, and 223 (e.g., 227XXXXX).^[1][34] Adoption of mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) remains limited as of 2025.^[2] This allocation system traces back to the 2010 expansion of the national numbering plan from seven to eight digits, which facilitated growth among the operators.^[2]

Mobile dialing procedures

In Chad, domestic calls to mobile numbers require dialing the complete 8-digit subscriber number, which begins with a mobile prefix such as 60, 90, or 227, without prefixing any area code. For instance, the number 66 12 34 56 is dialed as 66123456 from any location within the country. This closed numbering plan ensures uniformity across all mobile operators.^[1] For international calls to Chadian mobile numbers, the dialing format is the plus sign (+) followed by the country code 235 and the full 8-digit mobile number, such as +23566123456. These calls follow the same structure as those to fixed lines but typically attract higher tariffs due to the mobile-specific routing and operator charges.^[1][22] SMS messages to mobile numbers within Chad are sent using the national 8-digit format, identical to voice calls, ensuring seamless delivery across networks. USSD services, such as *123# for checking airtime balance on Airtel or similar codes on other networks, enable quick access to account information and services without data connectivity. Mobile number portability remains limited in Chad, with regulatory efforts initiated around 2015 but full implementation pending as of 2025, tying most numbers to their original operators.^{[35][36][37][38]} As of 2023, 4G coverage extends to approximately 40% of the population nationwide, supporting enhanced mobile services in urban areas, while rural regions predominantly rely on 2G networks for basic connectivity.^[39]

Special services

Emergency numbers

In Chad, emergency telephone numbers are short codes designed to provide rapid access to critical services such as police, fire, and medical assistance, though infrastructure limitations affect their reliability, particularly outside urban areas. Specific dedicated numbers include 117 for police emergencies and 18 for the fire department, the latter of which has limited availability beyond the capital, N'Djamena, where full-service response is more feasible. No dedicated short code exists for ambulance or medical services, which rely on full telephone numbers such as 2251 4242.^[40][41][42] These emergency numbers are free to call from all landline and mobile phones across Chad's networks. However, challenges persist, including slow response times in rural regions due to inadequate infrastructure, limited vehicle fleets, and security issues, making self-reliance essential for travelers outside major cities. These short codes were introduced as part of broader numbering reforms to enable single- or short-digit access for public safety.^[40][43]

Information and support services

In Chad, information and support services are primarily accessed through short codes and value-added numbers regulated by the Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et des Postes (ARCEP), ensuring availability across fixed-line and mobile networks with free or low-cost access to prevent misuse.^[2][1] Operator support lines allow users to contact telecom providers for assistance with billing, network issues, and account management. For example, Airtel Chad customers can dial 121 from their mobile or fixed-line phones for dedicated customer service, available in French with limited English support, operating 24/7.^[44] Similar services are provided by other operators like Moov Africa and Sotel Tchad, though specific short codes vary by provider and are accessible without additional prefixes on national networks.^[45] Value-added services utilize short codes of 3 to 6 digits starting with 3, as well as 8-digit long value-added numbers.^[1] These are used by enterprises for customer support and promotions, but adoption remains low due to limited infrastructure and awareness in rural areas.^[2] Examples include specialized lines like 1322 for agricultural advisory services, offering free guidance to farmers on crop management and market information in local languages as of April 2025.^[46] Other support services include government and public interest lines, such as the toll-free 1222 hotline for reporting corruption, managed by the Independent Authority for the Fight against Corruption and accessible nationwide for anonymous inquiries as of 2025.^[47] Additional ARCEP-assigned short codes include 1010 for electricity emergencies (Société Nationale d'Electricité) and 1300 for the National Program to Eradicate Guinea Worm Disease.^[40] These non-emergency short codes function on both fixed and mobile lines, with ARCEP overseeing allocation to promote equitable access and service quality. Directory assistance is limited, often integrated into operator support lines rather than standalone national services, reflecting the country's developing telecom landscape.^[45]