Communications in the Philippines

Telephones - main lines in use:7.3 million (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular:41,000,000 (2007)

Telephone system:good international radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate
"domestic:"domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations
"international:"9 international gateways; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean); submarine cables to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan

Radio broadcast stations:AM 369, FM 583, shortwave 5 (2003)

Radios:11.5 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:233 + 1373 catv networks (for list of television stations in the Philippines, see the Philippine section of Television network.)

Televisions:3.7 million (1997)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):93 (1999)

Internet Users:7.82 million (2005)

Country code (Top level domain): PH

Internet

Area Codes

Philippine Tel Country Code: 63

Fixed-Line Phones

Mobile Phones

* Globe Telecom¹: 905, 906, 915, 916, 917, 926, 927
* Smart Communications²: 907, 908, 909, 910, 918, 919, 920, 921, 928, 929
* Sun Cellular: 922, 923
* U Mobile~: 999¹: Includes Globe Gizmo (postpaid/prepaid), Globe Handyphone (postpaid/prepaid), Globe Platinum (postpaid) and Touch Mobile (prepaid)
²: Includes Addict Mobile (postpaid/prepaid), Smart Buddy (prepaid), Smart Gold (postpaid), Smart Infinity (postpaid), Smart Kid (postpaid/prepaid), and Talk 'N Text (prepaid)

~ U mobile is under the brand of CURE, Subsidiary of smart communications.

Republic Acts affecting Telecommunications

* August 10, 1963: 3846, An act providing for the regulation of radio stations and radio communications in the Philippine Islands, and for other purposes.
* December 21, 1989: 6849, An act providing for the installation, operation and maintenance of public telephones in each and every municipality in the Philippines, appropriating funds therefor and for other purposes.
* March 1, 1995: 7925, An act to promote and govern the development of Philippine telecommunications and the delivery of public telecommunications services.

MS

The Philippines is sometimes referred to as the SMS capital of the world. This is because ever since the advent of SMS, it has been a vital part of the Filipino lifestyle. SMS services are very common in the Philippines, from news briefs to multimedia services. Communication through SMS, also known as text messaging, was an important part of the 2001 overthrow of the Estrada government. Major telecommunications service providers expect that the number of mobile phones/subscribers will rise to 49 million, almost 60% of the population by 2005.

Calling to Philippines

A lot of Filipinos work outside of their country and they keep contact with their families back home using calling cards to Philippines because those are cheaper than direct calling.

Some people use emails or Instant messaging, but the preferred method is still the phone.

Rates: For 5 USD, a person can call Philippines and talk for around 2 hours.(2008)