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With a communication network that is 99% digital and includes the latest in fixed-line, wireless and satellite communication, South Africa has the most developed telecommunications network in Africa.
Direct dialing is available to most parts of the world. Calls from hotels generally carry a surcharge. Public pay phones can be found at airports, post offices, hotels, shopping malls and some petrol stations. At pay phones coins or telephone cards can be used. (The green phones use phone cards of R10 to R200, which can be bought at hotels, post offices and supermarkets.) Telephone directories provide full details of national (regional) and international dialing codes.
The international dialing code for South Africa is +27 (the + sign represents the international access code of the country you're calling from) and the regional dialing code for Tshwane is 012. To call from abroad dial +27 followed by the local regional code (leaving out the first zero) and the local telephone number. To call a cellular/mobile number dial +27, leave out the first zero of the cellular number and follow with the rest of the number.
To dial within the country use all 10 digits (the full area code and the number). To dial out of South Africa, dial 00 followed by the code of the country you're calling and the number you are trying to reach.
South Africa has an extensive GSM network, working on the same frequency as the rest of Africa and Europe. There are four cell phone providers in South Africa: Vodacom, MTN, Cell-C and Virgin Mobile. The networks support GPRS countrywide and 3G, EDGE and HSDPA support is available in larger urban areas. Cellular or mobile phones can be rented at all international airports or as part of a car rental package from any of the cellular network companies.
There are plenty of Internet cafes throughout South Africa and access rates are cheap. An even cheaper and more mobile option would be to buy a prepaid cell phone starter pack and access the Internet with GPRS or 3G.
WiFi access hotspots can be found at Cape Town, Durban and OR Tambo international airports, other airports, City Lodge Hotels, Sun International Hotels, some Southern Sun Hotels, Mugg & Bean restaurants and various other places.
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