How to Call Eritrea

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posted on 6 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Sometimes, having a friend or loved one in a faraway country can be difficult because you can’t talk to them as often as you’d like. However, you can get in contact with someone in Eritrea by placing a phone call, as long as you have your country’s exit code, the Eritrean country code (291), the area code (7 or 1), and the 6-digit subscriber phone number.

Steps

Placing a Call

Dial the exit code of the country that you’re calling from. The exit code informs the phone company that you’re calling from outside of Eritrea, and they will be able to connect you to the telephone services in that country. Exit codes vary based on the country that you are calling from. For the United States and Canada, the exit code is 011. For many other countries, including the United Kingdom, the exit code is 00.

Type in the country code for Eritrea (291). Next, you’ll dial 291, which lets the phone company know that you’re placing a call to the country of Eritrea.

Dial 7 if you are calling a mobile phone or 1 for a landline. For Eritrean phone numbers, the next number is considered the “area code,” but there are only two options based on the kind of phone that you’re calling.

Dial the 6-digit subscriber number. Be sure to type the numbers into the phone carefully to avoid calling the wrong person! All phone numbers in Eritrea have 6 digits in addition to the country and area codes. For example if you’re placing a call from the United States to a mobile phone in Eritrea, you will dial: 011 291 7 XXX XXX.

Wait for the phone to connect and ring. For long-distance calls, it can take a moment for the call to connect. Be patient and wait to hear ringing to ensure that the call has connected. If the phone doesn’t ring within 15-20 seconds of dialing, hang up and attempt to re-dial the number.

Using an International Calling Card

Buy an international calling card. Calling cards help to offset some of the expensive charges for placing international calls. The card, which you can buy at most grocery stores, comes preloaded with a specific number of call minutes that you’ve already paid for. Look for cards that charge low fees to place calls and have low maintenance fees or none at all. These charges take away time from your calls. Make sure to select a card that has options for calling Africa. Some International calling cards might be region specific, like Europe or Asia.

Locate the PIN on the back of the card. Once you’ve purchased your card and are ready to make a call, flip the card over and locate the PIN, which is normally hidden under a scratch-off or peel-off coating. Some calling companies print the PIN on your receipt to avoid theft. If you can’t find it on the back of the card, check your receipt. If you can't find the PIN for your calling card, call the customer service number printed on the card for assistance.

Dial the access number. To use the card, you have to activate it by calling into the card company. Normally, this is an 800-number listed on the front or back of the card. Listen closely to the directions, especially if it’s your first time calling. The automated message will prompt you to enter your PIN, so have the number on hand when calling.

Dial the phone number and wait to be connected. Once you’ve entered your PIN, the automated message will prompt you to enter the number you want to call. Be sure to enter the country code (291), area code (7 or 1), and the 6-digit subscriber number. Be patient while you’re being connected. You should hear ringing within a few seconds of dialing the number. If you don’t, hang up the call and re-dial the access number to start over. If problems persist, contact the customer service number of the card company for assistance.

Keep track of your minutes to avoid being cut short. Use a pen and paper to keep track of when your call was connected and how much time you spend on the line. Some companies will remind you of how many minutes you have remaining before you place your call, but it’s always good to keep track for yourself! Once you’re getting down to your last 5-10 minutes, consider reloading the card you have now or purchasing a new one.

Saving Money without a Calling Card

Contact your cell phone company to get an overseas calling plan. If you know you’ll be calling overseas or traveling often, some phone companies offer international plans for discounted rates. Your savings will depend on how often you’re calling Eritrea and how much money the plan for your phone company costs. Be sure to ask your provider if there are any additional fees for calls to places like Africa, which may be outside of their traditional international plans.

Use a VoIP service like Skype or WhatsApp to call via WiFi. Apps like Skype, Viber, WhatsApp, and many more allow users to place international calls to other individuals who have the app downloaded on their device, sometimes for little or no cost. They use a service known as Voice over Internet Protocol to place the call over WiFi or broadband. Many VoIP services are free when the call is placed to another user of the same app, but they will charge fees for placing calls to mobile or landline numbers. Some VoIP services charge a flat rate for use of their services, which can be much less expensive than other methods of calling. This is especially useful if you call Eritrea often, and the person you are calling uses a landline.

Download a messenger app that supports calls. If you’re calling someone who has a smartphone, apps like Facebook Messenger, Kik, and WhatsApp support user-to-user calls over WiFi or data for free. You won’t be charged for placing the calls, but be aware that your phone company might charge for data or WiFi usage as per your phone agreement.