Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Communications
Brazil has an efficient communication
system. Telecommunication systems
are reasonably advanced and mobile
phones are widely used. Postal
networks, with a variety of services,
including registered post and express
mail, are quite reliable. Most hotels
subscribe to a digital or satellite television service with
international channels. Although there are no foreign
language Brazilian newspapers, foreign newspapers are
available in all major cities, mostly in the main airports,
business districts, and tourist centers.
long-distance service provider
(
prestadora
). The two-digit
code of the
prestadora
needs
to be dialed before the area
code. In listings, long-distance
numbers often look like this -
0-XX-11-3455-3288. The two-
digit
prestadora
number is
inserted in place of the “XX.”
Customers have several
options, depending on the
region and prices. Embratel
(Brazil's largest tele-
communications company)
phonecards work everywhere
in Brazil. If using Embratel,
the number would look like
this - 0-21-11-3455-3288. This
can sometimes be confusing
because some
prestadora
codes are the same as some
area codes.
Internet café sign
PUBLIC PHONES
Public telephones (
orelhôes,
or “big ears”) are plentiful all
over Brazil. Pay phones do
not take coins. You must
purchase a phone card
(
cartão telefonico
), available
at newsstands, drugstores,
and post offices. To make
overseas collect calls from a
pay phone you have to
contact the operator (dial 21)
to complete the call for you.
Local or long-distance collect
calls within Brazil can be
made by dialing 9090 before
the number.
MOBILE PHONES
Mobile phones are common
all over Brazil, and are
generally used in most public
places, including in restau-
rants. Most tri-band GSM
phones will work in Brazil.
You can purchase a local SIM
chip upon arrival and obtain
a local number. Some phones
need to be unlocked before
they can be used in a foreign
country. Check with your
phone company before
leaving home. If your service
provider has a roaming
agreement with Brazil, you
can use your regular number.
Public telephones, easily available
all over Brazil
USING THE PHONE
best to confirm if it is still
correct. Local calls do not
require an area code, whereas
long-distance calls do. This
consists of two digits. All
long-distance calls (within
Brazil and international)
also require the use of a
Almost all telephone numbers
in Brazil are now eight digits.
Unfortunately, phone listings
are not always updated right
away. If you do come across
a seven-digit number, it is
DIALING CODES
• A local call requires
only the seven or eight
digit number without
the area code.
• To phone Brazil from
overseas, dial the
international access
code, followed by
Brazil's country code
(55), followed by the
two-digit area code and
local number.
• To call abroad from
Brazil, dial 00, then
the
prestadora
code,
followed by the country
code, area code, and
phone number.
• Contact Embratel at
0800 703 2100 to ask
for collect calls or
international calls.
USING A PHONECARD TELEPHONE
1
Lift the reciever
2
Insert phone card and wait for the
and wait for the
dial tone.
screen to display units available.
3
If units run out, the
screen will flash.
Replace card with new
phonecard.
4
Dial number (see
instructions for local,
long-distance, and
international dialing).
5
Replace receiver
after call and
retrieve card.
Emergency
dial buttons