Public Utility
The format for public utility service phone numbers is 1nn. It includes all emergency (as well as some non emergency) services, such as:
- 100: Human Rights Secretariat
- 128: standard emergency number in Mercosul (in Brazil, redirects to 190)
- 181: anonymous crime tip (some areas only, others may use different, more miscellaneous numbers)
- 190: military police
- 191: Federal Highway Police
- 192: ambulance
- 193: firefighters
- 194: federal police
- 197: civil police
- 198: state highway patrol
- 199: civil defense
Most citizens only know the 190 (military police) number for emergencies, but 192 (ambulance), 193 (firefighters) and 199 (civil defense) are also commonly known. Usually a call to 190 (military police) describing an emergency with a non-criminal nature will be redirected to the proper number or provide assistance if they are qualified to (as in cases of choking children).
Some states and municipalities may have additional short 1nn public utility numbers for other services. For example, in many cities, such as São Paulo, one can get information, make requests and complaints about most services and issues with the municipal administration by dialing 156. Regional utilities for services such as electricity and water supply may also have short access numbers starting with 1. In contrast to emergency numbers, which are always toll-free, calls to such services may or may not be charged.
Landline telephone companies' customer service numbers have been normatized as 103, followed by a two-digit code. For example, Embratel customers contact the company's customer service dialing 103-21. For most mobile carriers, the number is 105, followed by a one-digit code (e.g., 105-2 for Claro). For cable and satellite television operators, the number is 106, followed by a two-digit code (e.g., 106-21 for Net and 106-11 for SKY Brasil).
Read more about this topic: Telephone Numbers In Brazil
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