| |
Phonecalls and Internet in Rio
Just like in all modern cities phone calls and internet in Rio is available in many ways. It may not be what you are used to, itīs slow and expensive, but it works. Computer equipment is expensive due to high income taxes, prices are almost double. The system of broadband is not on a hi-tec level. For what you pay here for a 1 MB connection you would get a 100 MB in Sweden...Internet in Rio
There are lotīs of internet cafes around. The prices vary but in general it is an reflection of the neighbourhood, ie. itīs cheaper in less exclusive areas. In Copacabana the price can be almost half of what you have to pay say in Ipanema. The services vary a lot in quality, some have headphones prepared for Skype, not likely if they also offer international phonecalls... Wireless is not yet common although it has started to appear, some hotels and hostels now offer it. Phone Calls
This is a rather complicated matter. The phone system Brazil is full of operators and codes, what goes in one state does not apply in another. Hence this info is for Rio de Janeiro only. Itīs good to know that fixed phone numbers start with a 2 a 3 or a 4, mobile numbers with a 7, an 8 or a 9. Free number start with 0800 and 0300 numbers are pay numbers and almost cost as much as call to a mobile. Iīm gonna separate this in to two sections. The first one is: International Phonecalls
To start with I have to stress the fact that the cheapest phonecalls you make over the internet, services like Skype have drastically improved and it is by far the best option. Since internet in Rio is easy to find just go to an internet cafe with Skype and sign in. Making regular phonecalls from Rio is expensive. In the phone places itīs sometimes ridiculous, the rates in Copacabana tend to be the best. You can also buy international calling cards in most newsstands, they are usually a decent deal. Local/Interstate Phonecalls
The easiest is to buy a regular callingcard (31) in a newsstand. You can use it in any of the blue phoneboots. Just stick it in and follow the instructions on the card. For local phonecalls (in the area 21) you just dial the 8 digit number and it should work. If you are calling another area code start with 031 then add the area code without a zero and then the number. For São Paolo it should be 031 11 xxxx-xxxx. To make a lokal collect call you can just dial 9090 before the number, it works also on public phones. Mobile Phones
How to dial from the cellphone you brought with you varies. Itīs easiest to verify with your service provider at home, some phones actually donīt work. Itīs real easy to buy a Brazilian rechargable credit chip, the price is around 30 R$, you can buy scrape off cards with credit in most newsstands. I think that the best operator is TIM since SMS to anywhere in the world cost the same as local SMS, you can also receive and make international phonecalls (that is not the case with for instance Vivo. You can also buy a mobile for an affordable price. Youīll find stores in shopping malls and along the main commercial streets, you need your passport to become a client.
To top of this page
Go from Internet in Rio to Home for www.gringo-rio.com
|
