Module 1: Communications and Services

Newspapers
There is one weekly newspaper, the Penguin News which is issued every Friday.

Telephone
The local telecommunications provider is Cable & Wireless (C&W).
The Falklands international country code: +500 (followed by 5-digit Falklands number e.g. +500 20000)
Directory Enquiries: dial 181

Public phone boxes
There are numerous public phone boxes available in Stanley; most require pre-paid phone cards, (available from selected outlets such as the Jetty Visitor Centre and West Store), some also work with local coins. International calling cards cannot be used in the Falklands.

Mobiles/cellphones
C&W have mobile phone packages for short term-visitors. International roaming is available for users of many UK networks with post-paid accounts – please contact C&W for details. International SMS is also available to most countries using GSM mobile phone services. Handsets will generally need to be network unlocked to accept local SIM cards. Mobile coverage is currently only available on the northern half of East Falkland.

Internet
There are several businesses in Stanley offering Internet access (some with WiFi), most within easy walking distance of the public jetty (centre of town). Visitors based outside Stanley should check with their accommodation provider if Internet access is required.

Money Services
There is only one bank in the Falkland Islands, the Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), open weekdays. SCB can change money, transfer funds, cash traveller’s cheques (USD and GBP) and issue cash advances against Visa and Mastercard credit cards. Charges apply for all SCB services and photo ID is required for all transactions. There are currently no ATMs in the Falklands; travellers are encouraged to carry cash for purchases outside of Stanley.

Healthcare
The Falkland Islands have a fully equipped hospital complete with doctors, nurses, dentists, social welfare professionals and supporting staff. There are 28 hospital beds, 1 maternity bed, and an average of 4 doctors available for consultation. If something cannot be treated locally, patients are flown to Chile, Uruguay or the United Kingdom to receive further first-class care.

Places of Worship
A number of faith groups are represented in the Islands and hold services or meetings open to all. Three Christian churches (Catholic, Church of England and Free Church) in Stanley hold Sunday Services, mid-week prayer groups and mass. The Baha’i faith has a strong local following. Full details are shown in the centre pages of the weekly paper, the Penguin News.