Media and Communication
Telephone
The UK has a very advanced telecommunications system. Many
companies provide telephone services. In general, local telephone
calls are not free. The rate per minute will depend on which
telephone company and package you are using. Many telephone service
providers also offer Internet and cable TV services.
Mobile phones are widely used in the UK and there are many
networks and packages to choose from. There are two main options –
pre-pay or pay monthly. Pre-pay mobile phones need to be "topped
up" and you are only able to use the credit you have paid for in
advance. "Pay monthly" services involve signing a contract for a
fixed period (usually 12 or 18 months) and you will receive monthly
bills. A "Direct Debit" is usually required for pay monthly mobile
phones.
It is strongly recommended that you shop around for the best
deal to suit your personal requirements when looking at mobile
phones as prices vary considerably. It is also worth considering
that calls from public telephone kiosks are likely to be less
expensive.
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Television and Radio
There are currently five terrestrial television channels (BBC1,
BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5), with the non-BBC channels
being operated by independent companies. There are also many
satellite companies and an increasing number of cable companies
operating television services. There is also a "Freeview Service"
which requires a set-top receiver. For more information about this
please see http://www.freeview.co.uk/.
You will need a Television Licence – see
Household Expenses section for more information.
In September 2005, the Government confirmed that digital
switchover will take place between 2008 and 2012. Digital
switchover is the process of changing the UK's television
broadcasting to digital. This will involve converting the current
television broadcasting network, as well as encouraging everyone to
convert or upgrade their TV and recording equipment to receive
digital television. For more information visit http://www.digitaltelevision.gov.uk/.
There are many independent local radio stations as well as local
and national services run by the BBC.
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Newspapers
There are 10 national daily newspapers and 9 national Sunday
newspapers, as well as many weekly and local papers.
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Postal Services
In the UK postal services are currently the responsibility of
The Post Office, made up of The Royal Mail (which deals with the
collection and delivery of mail), Parcelforce (parcel delivery),
and the Post Office (which has retail services and is the agent for
the letters and parcels businesses). As of 1 January 2006, the
postal market has been liberalised, allowing other licensed
operators to collect and deliver mail.
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