Area code 266 is the telephone area code in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) for Antigua and Barbuda.
The area code digit sequence translates to ANT on a standard US alphanumeric telephone keypad, providing a mnemonic designation.
The area code was activated on 1 April 1996, the country's independence day, by division of numbering plan area 809 which used to comprise all Caribbean countries and Bermuda.[1] A permissive dialing period during which the old and the new area code could be used to call the new NPA was in effect for a period of one year until March 31, 1997. Foreign NPA calls to new telephone numbers in 268 required the new area code.[1]
For local calling in Antigua and Barbuda, seven-digit dialing is in effect. Calling to Antigua and Barbuda from NANP countries, such as the United States and Canada, requires dialing the long-distance trunk prefix 1 before the area code and local telephone number, which is the same calling procedure for calling from the country to other NANP countries. International dialing to other countries outside the NANP, requires the international dialing prefix 011 before country code and national telephone number.
Foreign NPA direct dialed toll calls must be prefixed by the digit 1 (1 + 10 digits) while operator-assisted calls require 0 (0 + 10 digits).