Madagascar Travel Guide - Communications

Country code: 261. The cheapest way to make phone calls is to use a telephone card and call from a telephone booth. Telephone cards can be purchased at post offices and most hotels.

Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. Coverage reaches major cities and main roads.

Public Internet access exists in large cities; there are a few Internet cafes in Antananarivo.

Airmail to Europe takes at least seven days and surface mail three to four months.

President Ravalomanana owns the private Malagasy Broadcasting System, which operates the MBS TV and Radio MBS networks. Although nationwide radio and TV broadcasting remain the monopoly of the state, there are hundreds of private local radio and TV stations. The 1990 law on press freedom encouraged a boom in privately owned FM radio stations and more critical political reporting by the print media. Many private radio stations in the capital are owned by pro-Ravalomanana politicians.

• There are no English-language newspapers.
• The main dailies are published in French and/or Malagasy.
• These include La Gazette de la Grande Ile, Madagascar Tribune and Midi Madagasikara.
• Feon'ny Merina is a weekly publication for Merina people of Malay origin. 

• Television Malagasy (TVM) is state-owned.
• Radio-Television Analamanga is privately run, as is Madagascar TV.
• The commercial MBS TV is owned by Ravalomanana.

• Malagasy National Radio (RNM) is state-owned.
• Privately owned stations include Radio Don Bosco (Roman Catholic FM station), Radio Tsioka Vao and Radio Korail.
• Radio MBS is commerical and owned by Ravalomanana.