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• International dialing codes
• Directory enquiries
• Connecting to and using Landlines
• Using mobile phones outside the UK
• Satellite telephone considerations
• Where there is no telephone
• Other alternatives
• SMS text messages
• Telephone related services

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telephone

This section includes telephone information and resources relevant to missionaries and overseas Christian workers.

International dialing codes

One of the easiest ways to find these out is to look in your local BT telephone directory, they're all listed in the back. If you don't have this to hand, try these links:

www.the-acr.com/codes/cntrycd.htm
www.embassyworld.com/directories/global_telephone.html

Directory enquiries

Since December 2002, Directory Enquiries in the UK has been opened up for any telephone operator to provide this service. The old BT 192 service was phased out in August 2003. To find out who now provides what service, see www.ofcom.org.uk

The free online version of the traditional 192 service from BT can still be found at www.thephonebook.bt.com

Other Online Directory Enquiries:

www.192.com
www.192directory.co.uk
www.ukphonebook.com

Connecting to and using Landlines

Advice on using and connecting to landline phones in other countries can be found at:

www.kropla.com/phones.htm

Using mobile phones outside the UK

Most mobile companies have a facility called international roaming. This often has to be requested as the service usually needs to be enabled on the handset remotely by the phone company. International roaming call charges can be very expensive, so it's worth checking prices carefully before deciding to go with this method of communication. Within Europe a new Eurotariff has now been launched which sets limits on the prices mobile operators can charge for mobile calls made or received while abroad within the EU. For some countries it may be better buy a local SIM card for your existing phone, or rent or buy a handset once in the country to achieve the cheapest solution.

For advice about using mobile phones outside the UK, try the following:

www.fco.gov.uk
www.ofcom.org.uk/consumeradvice/mobile/cost
http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/roaming/why/index_en.htm
www.kropla.com/mobilephones.htm

See also International mobile phones & roaming below

Satellite telephone considerations

When considering buying or renting a satellite telephone, the following sites offer some advice:

www.maflink.org/satPhone.htm
satphones@brigada.worldchurches.org (This autorespond email file from Brigada gives one account and some details of satellite telephone use by missionaries.)

Where there is no telephone

This site is an online version of a handbook on short wave radio communications for missions in developing countries.

www.reliefweb.int/library/wtint/toc.html

Other alternatives

www.maflink.org/opts.htm

If you want a localised, short range radio communication network for places where no telephone exists, you might consider using Citizen Band radios. They are cheap to buy in the UK either new or second hand. Range varies depending on terrain (as they transmit line-of-sight) and antenna used but is usually around 10 miles. It's worth buying everything you need in the UK which would include radios, microphones, antennas, power supplies, SWR meter (useful for tuning the antennas), coax cable and wiring. Car batteries, bought in the destination country, can be used as power supplies where mains electricity is not guaranteed. You will need a way of charging the battery either using a mains charger (when mains or generator electricity is available at least some of the time) or solar panels. It may be worth finding out if the UK CB frequency, 27MHz FM, will be allowed in your destination country and not conflict with any existing users of this frequency (contact the country's government telecommunications department).

Send SMS text messages with your PC

Various websites allow you to compose and send SMS (Short Message Service) text messages to any GSM mobile phone in the world capable of receiving them. That means that you can use this facility to send short timely prayer requests or news items to folk back in the UK and know that they will receive them immediately. Some of them also allow you to divert your email to your mobile phone or send time delayed SMS messages. Eg. send a SMS messages today that will be delivered at a future time of your choosing. An online address book for your SMS numbers is usually included. To use, see the following sites:

For FREE services, see:
www.cbfsms.com
www.fonetastic.com
www.orange.co.uk
www.o2.co.uk
www.sendsmsnow.com
www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/free-text-messages#web

Other services include:
www.cardboardfish.com