USING THE TELEPHONE
Once notorious for its unreliability, Portugal’s telecommunications system is
now fully modern. The visitor should have few problems using the telephone,
with the possible exception of a few old-fashioned telephone booths. The
previous monopoly of the state operator, Portugal Telecom, has been broken,
and a price war is in full swing. Look out for special offers on phone
cards, which are the best option when using a public telephone.
There are three main mobile phone operators in Portugal: Vodafone, TMN and
Optimus. All have good coverage in most parts of the country.
English-style phone box
Post office cabine phone
Public pay phones come in both the coin and the card variety, as well as in
combinations of the two. They are found in booths in the street as well as
in bars, cafés and shopping centres. Coin-operated phones now accept all
denominations of euro and cent coins except the one-cent coin. Card operated
phones are more common and more convenient, accepting a variety of phone
cards available from post offices, newsagents, tobacconists and Telecom
company outlets. Some also accept credit cards, although that incurs a small
extra charge.
The cheapest way to use a payphone is with a phone card. The main operator,
PT Comunicações (previously the monopoly holder and still the owner of the
network), charges about three European cents per minute for a local call.
International calls and calls to mobile phones are more expensive again, but
there are special cards and deals to be had. An alternative is to phone from
a post office, without having either change or card. You simply step into a
free booth, make your call, and pay the cashier afterwards. The cost per
unit is relatively low. Some cafés, restaurants and bars also have a units
meter connected to their phone and calculate the cost of your call. They
charge more than the post office but less than hotels.
For international calls and calls to mobile phones in particular, bear in
mind that rates are lower between 9pm and 9am and at weekends and on public
holidays.
USING A COIN PHONE
Lift receiver and wait for the dialling tone.
Insert coins into this slot one at a time.
The display shows amount of credit. If more money is required
the message “Inserir mais moedas por favor”
appears.
Key in telephone number and wait to be connected.
To make another call, press the follow-on call
button.
Replace receiver after call. Unused coins will be
refunded.
USING A CARD PHONE
Lift receiver and wait for the dialling tone.
Insert phonecard arrow side up, or credit card magnetic strip
down.
The screen will display number of units available, then tell you
to key in telephone number.
Key in number and wait to be connected.
If phonecard runs out in the middle of a call, it will
re-emerge. Remove it and insert another one.
Replace receiver after call. When card re-emerges, remove
it.
Phonecards are available in varying amounts
Reverse charge calls can be made from any telephone. Dial the Directo number listed at the front of the telephone directory,
after the country and city dialling codes or dial 179 and ask for the Directo number to the country you wish to call. This
number will put you in contact with an operator in the country you wish to
call. For some countries, including the USA, there is a choice of carriers
(eg AT&T or MCI).
A coin telephone covered by a shelter in Oporto
- To make a call within each town or region, and also to call from
one town or region to another, simply dial the nine-digit number
that you require. - To phone Portugal from abroad dial the Portugal country code (+
351), and then the nine-digit local number that you require. - To call abroad from Portugal, dial 00 and then the country code
and local number you require. The telephone country code for US and
Canada is 1; Ireland is 353; UK is 44; Australia is 61; and New
Zealand is 64. - Portugal’s directory enquiries number is 118. For international
directory enquiries dial 177.
