Paraguay Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide

Introduction

Integrate telecommunications features into your applications with this comprehensive guide to Paraguay's +595 phone number system. You'll learn to implement robust validation, formatting, and integration logic – from basic number formats to advanced topics like number portability and real-time verification for Paraguay mobile and landline numbers.

Quick Reference

• Country: Paraguay
• Country Code: +595
• International Prefix: 00
• National Prefix: 0

Understanding Paraguay's Telecommunications Landscape (CONATEL)

The Comisión Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (CONATEL) oversees Paraguay's telecommunications sector. CONATEL manages the numbering plan, ensures service quality, and promotes competition. Familiarize yourself with CONATEL's regulations and guidelines when developing applications for the Paraguayan market – this proactive approach saves time and prevents compliance issues.

Recent Regulatory Changes

CONATEL regularly updates technical standards and service requirements. Key regulatory milestones include:

• 2012: Mobile number portability implementation using ACQ method
• 2021: ITU-T E.164 numbering plan updates (Communication of 17.VIII.2021)
• 2024: Ongoing spectrum allocation and 5G planning initiatives

Monitor CONATEL's official website (http://www.conatel.gov.py) for the latest regulatory announcements and technical requirements.

Paraguay Phone Number Formats and Structure

General Structure

Every Paraguayan phone number follows this structure:

• Country Code: +595 (for international calls)
• National Prefix: 0 (for domestic calls)
• Subscriber Number: Length varies by service type (landline, mobile)

Geographic (Landline) Numbers

Landline numbers use area codes that map to specific geographic zones.

Format: [2-8]XXXXXX or [2-8]XXXXXXX

The subscriber number can be six or seven digits long – account for this variation during validation.

Key Area Codes:

Mobile Numbers

Mobile numbers use a 9-digit system with carrier identification embedded in the number.

Format: 9[1-9]XXXXXXX

The second digit identifies the carrier. Display the carrier name alongside phone numbers or tailor features based on the carrier to enhance user experience.

Carrier Mapping:

const carrierPrefixes = {
  // Tigo Paraguay (Telecel S.A.E.)
  '981': 'Tigo Paraguay',
  '982': 'Tigo Paraguay',
  '983': 'Tigo Paraguay',
  '984': 'Tigo Paraguay',
  '985': 'Tigo Paraguay',

  // Personal (Núcleo S.A.)
  '971': 'Personal',
  '972': 'Personal',
  '973': 'Personal',
  '975': 'Personal',
  '976': 'Personal',

  // Claro (AMX Paraguay S.A.)
  '991': 'Claro Paraguay',
  '992': 'Claro Paraguay',
  '993': 'Claro Paraguay',
  '995': 'Claro Paraguay',

  // VOX (Hola Paraguay S.A. / COPACO S.A.)
  '961': 'VOX',
  '963': 'VOX'
};

Note: The ITU-T E.164 numbering plan for Paraguay (Communication of 17.VIII.2021) defines these prefix assignments for mobile numbers assigned to TELECEL S.A.E., NÚCLEO S.A., AMX PARAGUAY S.A., HOLA PARAGUAY S.A., and COPACO S.A.

As of 2024, Tigo Paraguay maintains market leadership with approximately 46–51% market share, followed by Personal (~32%), Claro (~11–18%), and VOX (~4%). Monitor market trends to ensure your application adapts to shifts in carrier dominance and service offerings.

How to Validate Paraguay Phone Numbers: Technical Implementation

Validation Patterns

Use regular expressions to validate Paraguayan phone numbers and ensure data integrity.

// Regular expressions for different number types
const patterns = {
  landline: /^[2-8]\d{5,6}$/, // Matches 6 or 7 digits after area code
  mobile: /^9[1-9]\d{7}$/,    // Matches 9 digits starting with 9[1-9]
  tollFree: /^0800\d{6,8}$/,  // Matches toll-free numbers
  emergency: /^\d{3}$/       // Matches emergency numbers
};

// Example validation function
function validateParaguayNumber(number, type) {
  const pattern = patterns[type];
  return pattern ? pattern.test(number) : false;
}

Common Validation Failures:

• Leading/trailing whitespace not removed
• Country code (+595) included in validation
• National prefix (0) not handled correctly
• Non-numeric characters (spaces, dashes, parentheses) present

Error Handling Example:

function validateWithErrors(number, type) {
  // Normalize first
  const cleaned = number.replace(/\D/g, '');

  if (!cleaned) {
    return { valid: false, error: 'Phone number is required' };
  }

  if (!patterns[type]) {
    return { valid: false, error: 'Invalid number type specified' };
  }

  if (!patterns[type].test(cleaned)) {
    return {
      valid: false,
      error: `Invalid ${type} number format. Expected ${getExpectedFormat(type)}`
    };
  }

  return { valid: true, error: null };
}

function getExpectedFormat(type) {
  const formats = {
    mobile: '9 digits starting with 9[1-9] (e.g., 981 234 567)',
    landline: '6-7 digits starting with 2-8 (e.g., 021 234 567)',
    tollFree: '0800 followed by 6-8 digits',
    emergency: '3 digits (e.g., 128, 130, 132)'
  };
  return formats[type] || 'Unknown format';
}

Always normalize phone numbers by removing non-numeric characters before validation or storage. This ensures consistency and improves reliability.

Number Formatting

Implement formatting functions to present phone numbers in a standardized, readable way.

function formatParaguayNumber(number, type, includeCountryCode = false) {
  // Remove non-numeric characters
  const cleaned = number.replace(/\D/g, '');

  // Format based on type
  let formatted;
  switch(type) {
    case 'mobile':
      formatted = cleaned.replace(/(\d{3})(\d{3})(\d{3})/, '$1 $2 $3'); // Format: 9XX XXX XXX
      break;
    case 'landline':
      formatted = cleaned.replace(/(\d{3})(\d{3})(\d{1,3})/, '$1 $2 $3'); // Format: XXX XXX XXX or XXX XXX XX
      break;
    default:
      formatted = cleaned;
  }

  // Add country code if requested
  if (includeCountryCode) {
    return `+595 ${formatted}`;
  }

  return formatted;
}

International Format Examples:

// Domestic format (with national prefix)
formatParaguayNumber('0981234567', 'mobile')
// Output: "981 234 567"

// International format
formatParaguayNumber('981234567', 'mobile', true)
// Output: "+595 981 234 567"

// Handle user input with various formats
const userInputs = [
  '+595 981 234 567',
  '0981-234-567',
  '(0981) 234567',
  '981234567'
];

userInputs.forEach(input => {
  const cleaned = input.replace(/\D/g, '').replace(/^0/, '');
  console.log(formatParaguayNumber(cleaned, 'mobile', true));
  // All output: "+595 981 234 567"
});

Number Portability

Number portability allows users to switch carriers while retaining their existing phone number. This adds complexity to validation and carrier identification. Integrate a number portability check into your application for accurate carrier identification.

Porting Process and Developer Integration

Paraguay's number portability system uses a centralized database. Integrate with this database (if accessible via API) or use third-party services to verify number portability status.

def validate_portable_number(phone_number):
    """
    Validates if a number is eligible for portability.
    This example assumes access to a 'check_porting_eligibility' function
    that interacts with a porting database.
    """
    if not re.match(r'^9[1-9]\d{7}$', phone_number):  # Basic format check for mobile numbers
        return False

    # Check against porting database (implementation depends on API availability)
    return check_porting_eligibility(phone_number)

Porting Process Flow:

Understanding the porting process helps you anticipate potential delays or issues.

Total typical duration: 2–5 business days

Troubleshooting Common Issues:

• Porting denied: Check for outstanding balances or contract violations
• Delays: Verify all documentation is complete and accurate
• Service interruption: Coordinate timing with both carriers for seamless transition

Real-time Verification

Real-time verification services provide up-to-date information about a phone number's status, carrier, and portability. Access these services via APIs.

async def verify_number_status(phone_number):
    """
    Performs real-time carrier lookup and status check using an external API.
    This example assumes access to a 'lookup_carrier' function that interacts with a carrier lookup API.
    """
    normalized = normalize_number(phone_number)  # Normalize the number before lookup
    carrier_info = await lookup_carrier(normalized)  # Asynchronous API call

    return {
        'carrier': carrier_info.name,
        'status': carrier_info.status,
        'portable': carrier_info.portable
    }

Number Normalization

Normalize all phone numbers to a standard format before processing. Remove non-numeric characters and add the country code if missing.

function normalizeParaguayanNumber(phoneNumber) {
    // Remove non-numeric characters
    let cleaned = phoneNumber.replace(/\D/g, '');

    // Handle national prefix
    if (cleaned.startsWith('0')) {
        cleaned = '595' + cleaned.substring(1);
    } else if (!cleaned.startsWith('595')) {
        // Assume domestic format without prefix
        cleaned = '595' + cleaned;
    }

    return cleaned;
}

Edge Cases and International Format Variations:

function normalizeWithEdgeCases(phoneNumber) {
    let cleaned = phoneNumber.replace(/\D/g, '');

    // Handle various input formats
    if (cleaned.startsWith('00595')) {
        // International format with 00 prefix
        cleaned = cleaned.substring(2);
    } else if (cleaned.startsWith('595')) {
        // Already includes country code
        // No change needed
    } else if (cleaned.startsWith('0')) {
        // National format with 0 prefix
        cleaned = '595' + cleaned.substring(1);
    } else {
        // Assume local format without any prefix
        cleaned = '595' + cleaned;
    }

    // Validate length (country code + 9 digits = 12 total)
    if (cleaned.length !== 12) {
        throw new Error(`Invalid Paraguay number length: expected 12 digits, got ${cleaned.length}`);
    }

    return cleaned;
}

Market Structure and Evolution

Paraguay's telecommunications market has undergone significant transformation, driven by increased mobile penetration and demand for digital services. As of 2021, mobile subscriptions accounted for approximately 97% of all telephony subscribers, highlighting mobile service dominance. Historically poor fixed-line infrastructure encouraged mobile network development. Prioritize mobile-first solutions when designing applications for the Paraguayan market.

Key Players and Competitive Landscape

Four major operators serve the market: Tigo, Claro, Personal, and VOX. While Tigo holds a leading position, the market remains competitive, with ongoing investments in infrastructure and digital services. Stay informed about market trends and adapt your strategies accordingly.

Regulatory Framework and Innovation

CONATEL's regulatory oversight ensures market stability and promotes innovation. Key regulatory aspects include:

Service Quality Standards

• Minimum network availability requirements
• Call completion rate thresholds
• Data speed guarantees

Consumer Protection

• Transparent billing practices
• Clear contract terms
• Complaint resolution procedures

Technical Compliance

• ITU-T E.164 numbering plan adherence
• Number portability system integration
• Emergency services accessibility

Data Protection and Privacy

Paraguayan telecommunications providers must comply with:

• Law No. 1682/2001: Telecommunications Law establishing user privacy rights
• Law No. 6534/2020: Personal Data Protection law requiring consent for data processing
• CONATEL Resolution: Technical standards for data retention and security

Developer Implications:

• Obtain explicit user consent before storing phone numbers
• Implement secure storage and transmission (encryption at rest and in transit)
• Provide users with data access, correction, and deletion rights
• Maintain audit logs for compliance verification

CONATEL mandates service quality metrics and customer service requirements that telecommunications providers must meet. This information informs your development decisions and helps you anticipate potential challenges.

Historical Context and Socioeconomic Factors

Paraguay's telecommunications landscape reflects its historical and socioeconomic factors. The country's landlocked geography historically made it reliant on neighboring countries for international connectivity, impacting infrastructure development and costs. Additionally, socioeconomic disparities influenced access to technology and internet connectivity, creating a digital divide.

Design more inclusive and accessible applications by understanding these nuances. Optimize your application for low-bandwidth environments to serve users in areas with limited internet access. This aligns with bridging the digital divide and ensuring equitable technology access.

Special Cases and Considerations

Paraguay Emergency Numbers and Special Service Numbers

Paraguay uses 3-digit codes for emergency services and important national services, as defined by CONATEL:

Emergency Services:

Important Social Services:

Reference: ITU-T E.164 Numbering Plan for Paraguay (Communication of 17.VIII.2021)

Toll-Free and Premium Services

Toll-Free Numbers: Format 0800XXXXXX (9 digits total)

• Used for collect calls and customer service lines
• Dialing procedure: 0 + 800 + 6-digit subscriber number
• Cost: Free for callers; recipient pays connection charges
• Service availability: All operators support toll-free routing

Premium Services:

• Audiotext voice: 90AXXXX (7 digits)
  • Dialing procedure: 0 + 90A + 4-digit code
  • Cost: Premium rate charged per minute (varies by operator)
  • Billing: Appears on monthly phone bill
• Short codes: 4–5 digits for SMS services
  • Cost: Premium rate per message (typically $0.50–$2.00 USD)
  • Use cases: Voting, donations, subscriptions, content delivery

IP Telephony: Format 8WXXXXXXX (9 digits, where W ≠ 0)

• Dialing procedure: Direct dial without prefix

Number Portability Implementation

Paraguay implemented mobile number portability in 2012 using the ACQ (All Call Query) method. Key details:

• Scope: Mobile numbers only (geographic and non-geographic numbers excluded)
• Regulatory requirement: Mandatory for all operators
• Central Reference Database: Managed by Inetum for CONATEL
• Official information: https://www.conatel.gov.py/conatel/portabilidad/

Query Performance Metrics:

Service Level Agreement (SLA):

• Maximum downtime: 8.76 hours per year
• Query timeout: 500ms
• Fallback routing: Original carrier routing if database unavailable

When a user ports their number, the original carrier prefix no longer reliably indicates the current carrier. Always query the central database or use real-time verification services for accurate carrier identification.

• Premium Services: Operators may offer vanity numbers, short codes, and special ranges for IoT/M2M services. These services may require specific validation rules or integration logic.
• Technical Restrictions: Network capacity limitations, carrier-specific service availability, and regulatory compliance requirements can impact your application's functionality. Stay informed about these restrictions to avoid unexpected issues.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Paraguay's country code for international calls?

Paraguay's country code is +595. To call Paraguay from abroad, dial your country's exit code (or +), then 595, followed by the 9-digit local number. Remove any leading '0' from the local number when dialing internationally. Learn more about international phone number formats.

How do I format Paraguay phone numbers correctly?

Paraguay phone numbers have 9 digits after the country code. Mobile numbers start with 9 (format: 9XXXXXXXX), while landline numbers start with digits 2–8 and vary between 6–7 digits after the area code. Always normalize numbers by removing non-numeric characters before validation or storage.

What are the mobile carrier prefixes in Paraguay?

Tigo Paraguay uses 981–985, Personal uses 971–973/975–976, Claro uses 991–993/995, and VOX uses 961/963. The ITU-T E.164 numbering plan (Communication of 17.VIII.2021) defines these prefixes. Number portability allows users to switch carriers while keeping their number, so prefixes may not always indicate the current carrier.

What is the emergency number in Paraguay?

The primary emergency number in Paraguay is 128 (MERCOSUR area emergency service). Other important emergency numbers include 130 (Police), 131 (Police Fire Service), 132 (Fire Service), 140 (First Aid), and 141 (Emergency Response Center).

Does Paraguay support mobile number portability?

Yes, Paraguay implemented mobile number portability in 2012 using the ACQ (All Call Query) method. It's mandatory for all operators and managed by Inetum for CONATEL. Users can switch carriers while keeping their mobile numbers. The system applies to mobile numbers only, not geographic or non-geographic numbers.

What are the main area codes in Paraguay?

Key area codes include 21 (Asunción Metropolitan), 31 (Concepción), and 46 (Alto Paraná). Landline numbers follow the format [2-8]XXXXXX or [2-8]XXXXXXX, with the first digit indicating the geographic region.

Who regulates telecommunications in Paraguay?

CONATEL (Comisión Nacional de Telecomunicaciones) is Paraguay's national telecommunications regulatory authority. CONATEL manages the numbering plan, ensures service quality, promotes competition, and sets technical compliance standards. Visit http://www.conatel.gov.py for official information.

What is the market share of mobile operators in Paraguay?

As of 2024, Tigo Paraguay leads with approximately 46–51% market share, followed by Personal (~32%), Claro (~11–18%), and VOX (~4%). The competitive landscape remains dynamic with ongoing infrastructure investments.

How do I validate Paraguay mobile numbers programmatically?

Use the regex pattern /^9[1-9]\d{7}$/ to validate mobile numbers (9 digits starting with 9[1-9]). For landlines, use /^[2-8]\d{5,6}$/ (6–7 digits starting with 2–8). Always normalize numbers before validation by removing non-numeric characters and handling the national prefix (0) appropriately. For advanced validation, consider using a phone lookup service.

What are toll-free numbers in Paraguay?

Toll-free numbers in Paraguay use the format 0800XXXXXX (9 digits total). To dial, use: 0 + 800 + 6-digit subscriber number. These numbers are used for collect calls and customer service lines. Calls are free for the caller, with the recipient paying connection charges. All operators support toll-free routing.

Conclusion

This guide equipped you with detailed knowledge of Paraguay's phone number system, from basic +595 country code formatting to advanced ITU-T E.164 numbering plan implementation. You now understand how to validate Paraguay phone numbers using proper regex patterns, identify mobile carriers through their assigned prefixes (Tigo 981–985, Personal 971–976, Claro 991–995, VOX 961–963), and handle the complexities of mobile number portability.

Use the official CONATEL emergency numbers (128 for unified emergency response, 130 for police, 132 for fire service), toll-free 0800 formats, and area code structures for Asunción (21), Concepción (31), and Alto Paraná (46) to build robust telecommunications features that serve the Paraguayan market effectively. The market share data (Tigo 46–51%, Personal ~32%, Claro ~11–18%, VOX ~4%) helps you prioritize carrier integrations.

Consult the official CONATEL website (http://www.conatel.gov.py) and the ITU-T E.164 Communication of 17.VIII.2021 for the most up-to-date regulations and technical requirements. As Paraguay's telecommunications landscape continues to evolve with 97% mobile penetration and ongoing infrastructure investments, stay informed to ensure your applications remain compliant and deliver excellent user experiences.